Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest of a Palm Beach couple this week for allegedly running a large Organized Retail Theft scheme that resulted in $31,000 in losses from several major retailers.
“These types of thefts burden Florida’s families by driving up prices as stores try to cover their losses,” Uthmeier said in a release. “We are going to prioritize the safety and well-being of law-abiding Floridians by putting thieves behind bars and keeping prices down.”
According to the attorney general's office, Caleb Rashaun Frederick, 29, and Ne’osha Lasha Taylor, 29, allegedly committed 40 documented thefts from Target, Publix, Walgreens, Dollar General, Winn-Dixie, Walmart, Macy’s, BJ’s Wholesale, and JCPenney in Palm Beach and Broward counties between September 3, 2025, and November 14, 2025.
Both Frederick and Taylor are specifically alleged to have stolen household appliances and laundry products, with one serving as a lookout while the other grabbed the merchandise from the high chain stores. The office added that the pair would later sell the products on Facebook Marketplace.
The large-scale scheme comes after Uthmeier announced the coordination of a Retail Theft Investigative Special Task Force to combat retail theft last month. The attorney general was also active in cutting down on organized retail theft previously, including a large-scale bust involving the alleged stealing of smoke detectors from Home Depot.
Frederick has been charged with one count of organized retail theft, five counts of dealing in stolen property, and one count of false verification of ownership. Taylor faces one count of organized retail theft and four counts of dealing in stolen property.
If convicted, Frederick could be sentenced to 95 years in prison. Taylor faces a possible 75-year penalty.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office led the investigation. Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Chris Olowin and Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Monique Wilson will handle the case moving forward.
