Florida pursues criminal charges against two suspects in retail theft spree
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is pursuing criminal charges against two individuals allegedly involved in violent organized retail theft amongst multiple Home Depot stores across five Florida counties.
“These two criminals committed multiple robberies at Home Depot stores across five counties, violently assaulting employees in the process,” Moody said. “In one incident, a defendant even pepper sprayed a cashier in the face.”
According to Moody’s office, the investigation revealed that Raheem Davis Jr. and Vayshoun Harris embarked on a spree across various Home Depot locations statewide. These incidents reportedly included acts of physical violence against store employees.
The two would allegedly load up shopping carts with goods and proceed to the store’s outdoor garden center to attempt checkout. The defendants then attempted to purchase merchandise, each transaction exceeding $1,000, using counterfeit currency, according to authorities.
Upon realization of the counterfeit bills, Davis would forcibly enter the store’s employee-only area, attempting to open the cash drawer. In instances where store employees resisted, Davis allegedly resorted to physical violence, assaulting them.
In one incident, Davis deployed pepper spray against a clerk, according to the investigation. Meanwhile, Harris allegedly would either serve as a lookout or transport the stolen merchandise to their vehicle while Davis engaged in altercations with store personnel.
“We do not stand for organized retail theft in this state, especially theft that involves violence—I proudly stood with Gov. DeSantis recently as he signed a new law strengthening our statutes against crimes just like these,” Moody said. “We will continue to hold these thieves accountable.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed legislation that enhances penalties for retail theft and porch piracy.
DeSantis emphasized during a press conference that Florida is a law and order state that proudly punishes crime, particularly retail theft.
“If you look, that is not the norm, unfortunately, in many jurisdictions across this country,” he said. “You look at a place like California, they passed proposition 47, that allows people who commit retail theft to be charged with a misdemeanor, even if it had traditionally been a felony.”
Davis, identified as the primary figure in the partnership, is confronted with a series of serious charges. These include three allegations of burglary with assault or battery and one charge of robbery with a weapon, all classified as first-degree felonies.
Additionally, Davis faces one count of robbery, a second-degree felony, along with three charges of attempted robbery. Furthermore, he is accused of one count of battery on an individual aged 65 or older, each categorized as third-degree felonies.
Both Davis and Harris are presently in custody in separate counties due to unrelated cases involving prior offenses. Davis is detained in Duval County, while Harris is held in Manatee County.
Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will handle the case, which will be tried in Palm Beach County.
