Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Thomas Merrill Prickett, 39, was arrested yesterday for allegedly stealing over $400 in merchandise from Walmart and attempting to escape after he was arrested. He was also wanted for violating probation after not reporting to his probation officer since August.

At about 10:30 a.m. on December 16, a Loss Prevention Officer (LPO) at the Butler Plaza Walmart and a Gainesville Police Department Sergeant reportedly saw Prickett loading a shopping cart with merchandise that included several space heaters, LED trailer lights, motor oil, and dashboard cameras, valued at $436.13. Prickett allegedly pushed the shopping cart past all points of sale and tried to leave the store with it but was stopped in the vestibule.

A search incident to arrest reportedly produced two charging cords ($18.96). All of the merchandise was recovered.

Post Miranda, Prickett said he was stealing the merchandise to he could sell it.

The arrest reports notes that GPD is investigating a report of a theft ring that “employs” people at GRACE to go to Target, Walmart, and other stores to steal specific merchandise. Prickett reportedly denied working for anybody else.

As the Sergeant and Patrol Officer were escorting Prickett to a patrol vehicle, he allegedly pulled away and tried to escape but was taken to the ground almost immediately. He said his wrists hurt from the fall and he injured his ribs a few days ago, so he was taken to an emergency room to be cleared before being transported to the jail.

Prickett was arrested in April 2024 for theft of a motorized scooter and possession of drug paraphernalia. After 64 days in jail, he entered a plea of nolo contendere to the charge of grand theft of a motor vehicle, and the drug paraphernalia possession charge was dropped; in June, Judge James Colaw ordered that adjudication of guilt be withheld on the felony charge and sentenced him to time served plus 18 months of drug offender probation. A warrant for his arrest was issued in October after he failed to report to his probation officer or obtain a drug test in September or October; the affidavit noted that he had listed GRACE Marketplace as his address, but when the probation officer went to GRACE in October to find him, she was told that he had not been there since August.

Prickett has one felony conviction (non-violent) and four misdemeanor convictions (two violent). He is currently on probation and was declared an absconder in October. His warrant for violating probation ordered that he be held without bail, and Judge Kristine Van Vorst added $20,000 bail for the new charges.

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.