Getaway driver in theft spree at Clay County Home Depot stores arrested, investigators say

3 years ago 249

File photograph (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – A ride-hail operator has been identified arsenic a getaway operator during a theft spree that targeted antithetic Home Depot stores, according to Clay County investigators.

Patrice Gonza, 34, of Jacksonville, is facing 4 counts of retail theft.

According to investigators, Gonza was 1 of six radical who took portion successful a theft spree spanning from June 19 to July 25. The spree progressive 5 different unidentified radical going into 2 Home Depot stores successful Clay County and walking retired with aggregate rolls of copper ligament without paying for them, according to investigators.

The stores that were deed included the Home Depot determination connected Branan Field Road — which was targeted 3 times — and the Home Depot store connected Wells Road — which was targeted once. The thefts each happened betwixt the precocious greeting and aboriginal day hours.

Investigators said a full of much than $19,000 worthy of copper ligament was stolen during the theft spree.

According to detectives, Gonza utilized his zTrip car that was assigned to him arsenic the getaway conveyance during each of the thefts. Detectives said helium waited successful the parking batch portion the different unidentified thieves went wrong the store.

A manager astatine zTrip verified Gonza arsenic 1 of their associates, according to an affidavit for apprehension warrant

Gonza was taken into custody Thursday astatine the zTrip Jacksonville bureau connected an apprehension warrant. As of Friday, helium remained successful the Clay County jailhouse connected $65,000 bond, according to jailhouse records.