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PALM COAST, Fla. (WFLA) — A Palm Coast man was arrested following a string of home appliance thefts in Florida, according to deputies.
Throughout the month of January, 50-year-old James Shepard stole 22 home appliances from home construction sites in Flagler and St. Johns County, according to both Flager and St. Johns County Sheriff’s Offices.
Officials said cameras captured Shepard driving through communities under construction, entering homes, removing the appliances, and placing them in the bed of his truck.
The stolen appliances ranged from refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers, along with smaller items such as doorknobs, paint, air filters, and tile grout.
So far, detectives believe Shepard committed eight burglaries in St. Johns County. He was arrested on Jan. 21 after finding the items in a storage unit belonging to Shepard.
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St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office’s -
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office’s -
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office’s
The day prior, officials arrested and charged Shepard for driving with an expired license and driving a vehicle with a stolen license plate. A full-size refrigerator, later determined to be stolen, was also in his truck during this arrest.
Investigators said Shepard would often swap vehicles and license plates during his string of thefts. He is now facing charges of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, petit theft, and grand theft.
Both sheriff’s offices are seeking victims who may have purchased appliances since Jan. 1 from Shepard without realizing they were stolen. St. Johns County residents are asked to call 904-824-8304, and Flagler County residents are asked to call 386-313-4911.
