Attorney General James Uthmeier announces arrest of Palm Beach couple accused of running a wide-reaching retail theft operation

Palm Beach, Florida – Attorney General James Uthmeier is drawing attention to a sprawling retail theft scheme that stretched across two South Florida counties, announcing the arrests of two Palm Beach residents investigators say carried out dozens of thefts over several months. The case marks one of the first major actions following the launch of a statewide effort to crack down on repeat retail offenders.

Caleb Rashaun Frederick, 29, and Ne’osha Lasha Taylor, 29, are accused of working together in a coordinated operation that targeted a wide range of well-known retailers. According to the Florida Attorney General’s Office, the pair moved from store to store between early September and mid-November of last year, taking items that investigators say were later resold online for profit.

“These types of thefts burden Florida’s families by driving up prices as stores try to cover their losses,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “We are going to prioritize the safety and well-being of law-abiding Floridians by putting thieves behind bars and keeping prices down.”

Read also: The Florida Department of Children and Families launches a new Statewide Youth Advisory Board to empower young people with lived experience in the child welfare system

Officials say Frederick and Taylor focused mostly on high-demand household items—appliances, laundry detergents, and other products that move quickly on resale platforms. Their alleged thefts were documented at more than 40 locations across Palm Beach and Broward counties. The retailers affected form a long list of major chains: Target, Publix, Walgreens, Dollar General, Winn-Dixie, Walmart, Macy’s, BJ’s Wholesale, and JCPenney.

Investigators estimate the losses at roughly $31,000, a substantial sum considering that the stolen goods were mostly everyday necessities. Authorities noted that the pair worked in tandem during each theft. One would keep watch while the other removed merchandise, a pattern that repeated itself across the two-month period. The items were then sold on Facebook Marketplace, according to the Attorney General’s Office, where they could blend into the flood of secondhand goods commonly listed on the platform.

Frederick now faces several charges: one count of Organized Retail Theft, five counts of Dealing in Stolen Property, and one count of False Verification of Ownership. Taylor is charged with one count of Organized Retail Theft and four counts of Dealing in Stolen Property.

The arrests come at a pivotal moment for statewide enforcement efforts. They closely follow the launch of the Retail Theft Special Investigative Task Force, a new initiative designed to streamline the investigative process and help prosecutors pursue stronger charges. The task force gives law enforcement agencies access to the authority of the Office of Statewide Prosecution, which officials say removes procedural barriers and allows for more coordinated action across jurisdictions.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office took the lead on the investigation, gathering evidence across numerous stores and working with statewide prosecutors to link the thefts together. The case will be prosecuted by Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Chris Olowin and Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Monique Wilson.

Read also: Broward Performing Arts Foundation hosts annual reception and brunch to celebrate the start of the 2025-2026 performance season at the Broward Center

If the charges lead to convictions, the potential sentences are significant. Frederick could face up to 95 years in the Department of Corrections, while Taylor could face as many as 75 years. Although such maximum penalties are rarely imposed in full, state officials say tough consequences are a critical part of discouraging theft rings that rely on speed, mobility, and anonymity to avoid accountability.

With the new task force underway and the first major arrests already announced, state leaders say they hope to send a message that organized retail theft will be met with serious scrutiny. Retailers across Florida, who have reported increasing losses from coordinated shoplifting schemes, will be watching closely as the case moves forward.