11 Arrested In Holiday Retail Theft Operation At FL Mall, Sheriff Says

SARASOTA, FL — Eleven people were arrested during a three-day holiday retail theft operation at the University Town Center mall in Sarasota last minute, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Deputies organized the initiative, which ran from Nov. 18-20, because retail thefts increase at UTC during the holiday shopping season, the sheriff’s office said. “The mission of the operation was to identify, disrupt, and prevent retail theft, and arrest individuals engaging in retail theft occurring prior to the start of holiday shopping.”

Those arrested were charged with seven misdemeanors and eight felonies.

Three arrested had no prior criminal history while eight other suspects collectively had 111 previous felony charges and 117 misdemeanors, the agency said.

The following people were arrested during the operation:

• Aleksandra D. Bobala, 47, grand theft
• Antwan Blackmon, 37, petit theft with two or more previous convictions
• Edyta B. Sullivan, 55, grand theft
• Fred A. Gentle, 31, obstruction
• Issac B. John, 35, warrant arrest for petit theft
• Lee S. Spengler, 34, petit theft and obstruction
• Lisa M. Friday, 42, petit theft and obstruction
• Orestes L. Calero Jr., 47, petit theft with two or more previous convictions
• Perla Carreras, 64, petit theft
• Saquona S. Jenkins, 38, petit theft with two or more previous convictions and possession of an anti-shoplifting device
• Vincent S. John, 31, warrant arrest for violation of probation for fleeing to elude and failure to appear

“This proactive enforcement was able to disrupt and hopefully deter criminal activity,” Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman said. “The results of this retail theft operation show our commitment to stopping organized theft, preventing repeat offenders, and ensuring the safety of our community.”

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