February 04, 2022
Back

FDACS Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement Arrests Two Members of Retail Theft Ring / 2022 Press Releases / Press Releases / News & Events / Home - Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Tallahassee, Fla. — Last week, investigators with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) targeted organized retail theft rings in the Pensacola area as part of “Operation Secret Shopper,” leading to the arrests of Scott Hollingsworth and Patrick Callahan.

“The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement is doing great work to make sure that criminals are off of our streets and out of our businesses,” Commissioner Nikki Fried said. “Anyone who dares to target Florida consumers will be prosecuted and face the full force of the law.”

Timeline and background information:

Investigation: OALE collaborated with a national retailer to identify several members of theft rings known to conceal Romex wire rolls in shopping carts and pass all points of sale without paying for the items. The thieves are known to sell stolen wire directly to the public or to area metal recyclers.

Results: On January 28, 2022, OALE law enforcement investigators used direct surveillance techniques to observe Scott Hollingsworth and two other suspects steal wire rolls and lighting valued at $2,461.42 from a local retail store. On January 29, OALE law enforcement investigators used direct surveillance techniques to observe Patrick Callahan steal wire rolls and a rug valued at $1,006.56 from a local retail store.

Charges: OALE law enforcement investigators arrested Hollingsworth and booked him into the Escambia County Jail on the following charges: Violation of Section 812.014 (2)(c), Florida Statutes, Grand Theft, Third-Degree Felony, 1 count; Violation of Section 893.13(6)(a), Florida Statutes, Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, Third-Degree Felony, 1 count; Violation of Section 817.568 (2)(a), Florida Statutes, Use/possess ID of another without consent, Third-Degree Felony, 1 count; Violation of Section 893.147(1) (3), Florida Statutes, Possession of drug paraphernalia, First-Degree Misdemeanor, 1 count. Hollingsworth’s bond was set at $6,500. Warrants are also being sought for Hollingsworth’s accomplices.

OALE law enforcement investigators arrested Callahan and booked him into the Escambia County Jail on the following charges: Violation of Section 812.014 (2)(c), Florida Statutes, Grand Theft, Third-Degree Felony, 1 count; Violation of Section 893.13(6)(a), Florida Statutes, Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, Third-Degree Felony, 1 count. Callahan’s bond was set at $3,500.

Arrestee Information:

  • Scott Hollingsworth; DOB 04/20/1982; Pascagoula, Mississippi
  • Patrick Callahan; DOB 02/01/1960; Mobile, Alabama


source: https://www.fdacs.gov/News-Events/Press-Releases/2022-Press-Releases/FDACS-Office-of-Agricultural-Law-Enforcement-Arrests-Two-Members-of-Retail-Theft-Ring

Your content is great. However, if any of the content contained herein violates any rights of yours, including those of copyright, please contact us immediately by e-mail at media[@]kissrpr.com.