PALM COAST, Fla. — Two Jacksonville residents were arrested after Flagler County deputies said they tried to steal more than $2,500 in sports trading cards from a Palm Coast Target while deputies were already at the store investigating a separate theft.
A Target loss-prevention employee alerted deputies Sept. 21 after seeing a man take a plastic storage container from the home section and fill it with trading-card boxes, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said they watched the man leave the store with the container and head toward a black BMW, where a woman was waiting. The man allegedly dropped the container and ran toward the vehicle as deputies approached.
Authorities identified the suspects as Andrew Simmons, 27, and Madeline Whaley, 35, both of Jacksonville. Deputies said the container held 98 packs of sports trading cards valued at more than $2,500.
Deputies also reported finding methamphetamine, fentanyl, drug paraphernalia and a handgun reported stolen in Jacksonville inside the vehicle. Simmons also had four outstanding warrants, authorities said.
Simmons was charged with grand theft, drug possession and drug paraphernalia possession, in addition to the warrants. Whaley was charged with accessory after the fact, drug possession, weapons charges and grand theft of a firearm.
Both were taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. Simmons was being held without bond, while Whaley was held on a $25,000 bond, according to FCSO.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.