Detectives from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) caught up earlier this month with a team of thieves suspected of using a bogus barcode to steal more than $10,000 worth of merchandise from Walmart stores in Spring Hill and Brooksville. The team is also suspected to have been responsible for similar thefts in Pasco County.
Earlier this year, Jeffrey Evans 56, his 54-year-old brother Timothy Evans and Tracy Sullivan age 50 were suspects in the theft of merchandise from the Walmart store at 1485 Commercial Way in Spring Hill.
According to HCSO Deputy Public Information Office (PIO) Michael Terry, the trio allegedly used a barcode from a lesser priced item to purchase items of greater value in 40 separate incidents over the course of two months totaling $3,683.
The same three suspects allegedly used the same method to steal $6,379 worth of merchandise in 66 incidents from the Walmart store at 13300 Cortez Blvd. in Brooksville.
Detectives caught up with two of the three thieves when they spotted a vehicle driven by Jeffery Evans and containing Timothy Evans traveling south on Commercial Way.
During the subsequent traffic stop, detectives arrested both men at the scene and discovered the barcode that was used to steal items from both Walmart locations in Timothy Evans’ pocket.
They also found several pawnshop transactions that the pair made to discard items taken in the retail thefts.
Jeffrey Evans was subsequently charged with 38 counts of Felony Retail Theft. His brother, Timothy Evans was charged with 51 counts of Felony Retail Theft.
A warrant for the arrest of Tracy Sullivan on 18 counts of Felony Retail Theft is forthcoming, Terry said.
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office assisted in solving the case, he said.
