Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Tavares Dequan Holmes, 29, of Gainesville, and Tiara Cherrelle Richardson, 36, of Ocala, were arrested yesterday and charged with petit theft, grand theft, and resisting an officer without violence after allegedly stealing nearly $1,000 in merchandise from two stores and running from an officer.
At about 12:55 p.m. on July 2, the Loss Prevention Officer (LPO) at Marshalls (3965 Plaza Blvd) reportedly saw Holmes putting children’s clothing into a large bag and then walking out without paying; the items were reportedly valued at $121.93. The LPO reported that Richardson was also in the store, distracting employees so that Holmes’ activities would not be noticed. The LPO reported that Holmes took the clothes to a vehicle, then came back into the store and spoke with Richardson before they both left.
The LPO reported that he followed the pair to the Oaks Mall, where they took large, empty bags and went inside; while they were inside the mall, the LPO noted that he saw several bags of merchandise from both his store and other stores in their car.