BUNNELL, Fla. — A Palm Coast woman has been arrested on a Flagler County warrant for felony retail theft following a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office investigation into shoplifting that occurred at multiple Target locations.
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office General Assignment Unit detectives began investigating the case on December 22. During their investigation, they determined the suspect, identified as Jessica Finn, 37, of Palm Coast, shoplifted from Target stores in Palm Coast, Port Orange and Daytona Beach over the course of several months, often swapping price tags with inexpensive items. Finn also routinely used changing rooms to remove anti-shoplifting devices and then conceal items inside of her clothing before leaving the store. She later sold the stolen items on Facebook Marketplace.
The value of the items stolen is approximately $1,300 from the Palm Coast store and approximately $3,700 from the Port Orange and Daytona Beach locations. Among the items stolen were clothing, cosmetics and baby monitoring devices, to name a few.
After identifying Finn as the suspect and locating many of the stolen items for sale on Facebook Marketplace, detectives initiated an undercover sting operation in an attempt to purchase the stolen merchandise. Finn agreed to meet with detectives at a public location on December 23 so they could complete their purchase of the stolen items. Upon meeting with Finn and confirming she was in possession of the stolen items listed for sale, detectives took Finn into custody without incident.
Finn is the estranged wife of an FCSO deputy. The suspect stated that Deputy R. Finn had no knowledge of her illegal activity. In a follow-up interview, Deputy R. Finn denied any knowledge or involvement and expressed shock over his estranged wife’s activity.
“Thanks to the thorough work and quick, decisive actions of our detectives, we were able to quickly make an arrest and stop her one-person theft ring,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “This suspect foolishly thought she wouldn’t get caught because she thought she knew how to skirt around store security, but she was wrong. I hope she enjoys an early Christmas present with a complimentary stay at the Green Roof Inn.”
Finn was arrested for felony retail theft. She was transported to Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where she is being held on a $2,500 bond.
