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Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – On October 21, authorities arrested 36-year-old Sherry Corine Ealum-Morgan, linking her to a string of shoplifting events in Butler Plaza. According to officers, she allegedly had a pattern of visiting multiple stores with a large tote bag, pilfering items from each, and then heading straight to a pawn shop with the stolen goods. Additional charges were filed yesterday.
A detective from the Gainesville Police Department characterized the occurrences as a “theft rampage,” noting that there was no uncertainty regarding Ealum-Morgan’s identity. Police officers and Loss Prevention Officers reportedly recognize her well. One Loss Prevention Officer mentioned, “She’s a notorious thief, and we keep a close eye on her whenever she enters.”
The detective detailed Ealum-Morgan’s typical modus operandi: she would proceed systematically through a row of stores in Butler Plaza, such as Best Buy, using an oversized tote bag to conceal stolen merchandise. Her route concluded at a nearby pawn shop, located just outside Butler Plaza.
On October 6, Ealum-Morgan is accused of stealing a $699 dash camera and a $99 “Clicks” cell phone keyboard from Best Buy, which she then reportedly brought to the pawn shop.
On October 15, Ealum-Morgan allegedly stole nine “Clicks” cell phone keyboards from Best Buy and took them to a pawn shop the same day. The detective reported that there were two more incidents of theft from Best Buy, resulting in a loss to Best Buy of almost $2,000 in merchandise.
On October 16, Ealum-Morgan allegedly stole a Dewalt drill and work light worth $238 from Lowe’s and took them to a pawn shop, “along with numerous other items.”
On October 20, Ealum-Morgan allegedly took two Dewalt spindle sanders worth $278 from Lowe’s and took them to a pawn shop, along with items from other stores.
Post Miranda, Ealum-Morgan reportedly admitted to stealing and pawning the “Clicks” keyboards, the dash camera, the drill, and the work light.
Ealum-Morgan, whose address is listed as GRACE Marketplace, is facing charges of felony petit theft and dealing in stolen property in five separate theft cases. She has 14 felony convictions (one violent) and 17 misdemeanor convictions (two violent) and has served three state prison sentences, with her most recent release in 2023. She was released from jail most recently on September 14 after serving a five-month sentence and was arrested again on October 21. The total bail for all the charges is $275,000.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
