The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested eight people in a three-day operation targeting retail theft in Sarasota County.

 

During the operation, deputies focused on retail corridors in Sarasota as well as South Tamiami Trail in Venice. The unique public-private partnership between the sheriff’s office and local retailers began in 2013 with the goal of working together to curb retail theft.

 

Of particular note is the arrest of Easter Goodman, a Manatee County woman who shoplifted from several stores at the University Town Center Mall. Responding deputies pursed Goodman on foot through the parking lot where she entered a waiting vehicle that fled and struck a sheriff’s office deputy. Despite the deputy’s attempt to deploy his Taser, Goodman was able to successfully flee. Through investigation, detectives tracked down Goodman in Bradenton where she was subsequently arrested by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. Luckily, the deputy only suffered a minor injury during the incident however, video captured by a nearby citizen shows just how challenging and dangerous law enforcement can be.

 

“Watching this video makes me sick to my stomach,” commented Sheriff Knight. “Criminals like these have a complete disregard for others and are often fueled by addiction and other related issues. Our hope is by saturating heavily populated retail areas, we are sending a strong message that criminal behavior is not welcome or tolerated in this community.”

 

In total, deputies made eight arrests and filed 24 charges. Altogether, these criminals have 93 prior charges and 15 prior convictions.

• Devin Roman, DOB 10/07/94, of 6051 Mckown Road, Sarasota, charged with Attempted Grand Theft and Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription.
• Priscilla Palmer, DOB 03/21/62, of 5991 Gillot Blvd., Port Charlotte, charged with Attempted Dealing in Stolen Property, Principal to Dealing in Stolen Property, Possession of Narcotic Equipment, and Violation of Probation.
• Christopher Kay, DOB 01/11/84, of 2433 Bendixion Street, Port Charlotte, charged with Dealing in Stolen Property, Principal to Dealing in Stolen Property, and Possession of Narcotic Equipment.
• Danielle Ahearn, DOB 06/23/95, of 2605 Sunnybrook Drive, Sarasota, charged with two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription, Possession of Cocaine, and Possession of Narcotic Equipment.
• Bailey Curtis, DOB 08/15/98, of 3429 Chesire Lane, Apt. C., Sarasota, charged with Petit Theft.
• Ryan Trubey, DOB 12/02/78, of 1219 70^th Drive E., Sarasota, charged with two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription and Petit Theft.
• Jacqueline Serrano, DOB 07/06/68, of 1858 Morrill Street, Unit 3, Sarasota, charged with Petit Theft.
• Easter Goodman, DOB 03/26/89, of 1112 61^st Avenue East, Bradenton, charged with two counts of Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Aggravated Feeling to Elude, Resisting without Violence, two counts of Petit Theft, and Driving While License Suspended.