In North Fort Myers, Florida, an orchestrated retail theft at a local Walmart has led to the arrest of four individuals, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. This incident highlights the growing concern over organized retail crime affecting communities nationwide.

On December 22, deputies were dispatched to the Walmart on Pine Island Road in response to a report of a previous theft. The investigation revealed that Dontavius Powell was involved in the crime. Powell allegedly presented a fraudulent receipt to a cashier to unlawfully acquire a generator and two Kitchen-Aid mixers before making his exit in a rented U-Haul truck.

Following this incident, the sheriff’s office launched an investigation to track down Powell and any accomplices involved in the scheme. The very next day, on December 23, deputies were alerted to reports of “suspicious activity” at the same Walmart, which further fueled their ongoing investigation.

The swift actions of law enforcement in apprehending these individuals underscore the importance of vigilance and community cooperation in combating retail theft. As incidents like these become more prevalent, local authorities are increasingly focused on implementing strategies to deter and prevent similar crimes in the future.

Deputies responded to the same Walmart in reference to “suspicious activity” on Dec. 23, LCSO said.

Upon arrival, deputies learned the U-Haul from the previous day was parked in the parking lot while Powell was inside the store.

The sheriff’s office posted body camera footage showing that deputies made contact with the driver of the U-Haul that LCSO called the “getaway driver,” Marcus Hammett, and the passenger, Dominique Golden.

Powell and the fourth individual, Erwin Staco, started to leave the store with unpaid merchandise, LCSO said.

The body camera footage shows Powell and Staco attempting to flee as deputies arrested them. A deputy deployed a taser to “gain compliance” during the arrest after lawful commands.

During the investigation, LCSO said its deputies learned that Golden and Powell were also involved in a theft incident that occurred at a Walmart in Estero.

Deputies from the fourth precinct began a simultaneous investigation, reportedly learning that Powell and Golden stole multiple generators from the Walmart earlier in the evening.

After this separate investigation, the sheriff’s office said Golden was charged with grand theft.

After the conclusion of both Walmart theft investigations, deputies arrested Powell on suspicion of two counts of grand theft and one count of petit theft, LCSO said.

LCSO said it charged Staco with one count of petit theft and one count of resisting without violence.

Hammett is on active felony probation for retail theft out of Miami and was arrested after violating his probation, LCSO said.