Two men were arrested on Saturday afternoon for thefts from various stores at the South Beach Regional and Parkway shopping centers in Jacksonville Beach, as reported by the Jacksonville Beach Police Department.
Around 2:11 p.m., officers received a report of theft from the Ulta Beauty store. Before their arrival, they were informed about a suspicious vehicle parked in front of the Staples store, with Gilbert Simmons identified as the driver.
As officers approached, they observed a man, later identified as Joshua Hough, leaving Staples with a cart full of merchandise, being pursued by employees. Hough began throwing the stolen items into the vehicle. Upon police intervention, Hough fled on foot to Home Depot. During this, Simmons was apprehended by the police.
Hough sought refuge inside Home Depot, prompting the store to go on lockdown. Eventually, officers located and arrested Hough.
According to the police, Hough stole merchandise from five different stores: Rack Room Shoes, Books-A-Million, Ace Hardware, Ulta Beauty, and Staples. The total value of the stolen items amounted to $4,200.
Simmons faces two counts of accessory to grand theft, while Hough faces three counts of petit theft and two counts of grand theft. Both men were booked into the Duval County Jail.
In court on Sunday, the judge mandated that Simmons and Hough have no contact with each other and cannot return to the stores involved. Simmons was ordered to abstain from drugs and driving. Simmons’ bond was set at $47,512, and Hough’s bond was set at $86,018. Both men are scheduled to appear in court again in December.