Palm Coast, FL - Two women, 24-year-old Shekeria Wilkins and 26-year-old Amber Phillips, are charged in a shoplifting spree that began in West Palm Beach and ended in Palm Coast early Saturday (December 14) morning.
Flagler County Sheriff's deputies found a a vehicle parked in a handicap space in the Palm Coast Walmart parking lot. Further investigation revealed that the car had a stolen tag attached to it. A perimeter was established and deputies attempted a traffic stop as the vehicle was leaving the parking lot.
Wilkins, who was driving, fled from law enforcement onto Cypress Point Parkway. Driving at accelerated speeds, Wilkins made a right turn onto Belle Terre Parkway and then onto Palm Coast Parkway towards I-95 South.
Stop sticks were successfully deployed, deflating both driver-side tires. Wilkins tried to keep driving southbound on I-95 but eventually came to a stop near mile marker 286.
Wilkins and Phillips were taken into custody. A check of the vehicle found nearly $6,000 worth of electronics. Of the merchandise, $994.03 of stolen merchandise was determined to have been stolen from the Walmart in Palm Coast.
The women told deputies that they were from West Palm Beach and had been 'shopping' at various Wal Mart and Target stores located off of I-95 all day. Wilkins told deputies that she had gotten the tag for the car from a friend, who she refused to identify.
“This is another example of how you never know what a routine patrol by an observant deputy can led too,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “This is a prime example of 'felony lane' thieves traveling the interstate stealing merchandise up and down the east coast but this time they came to the wrong county. Crime stops in Flagler County! Another great job by our deputies. I am thankful that no one was injured and that we were able to recover the stolen merchandise and put this crime spree to an end. Now they can spend the holidays at the
Green Roof Inn.”
Wilkins is charged with Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding, Grand Theft and Petit Theft, with bond set at $1,000.00. Amber Phillips is charged with Grand Theft, with bond set at $500.00 bond. Both women were able to bond out Saturday afternoon.
There could be more charges pending as FCSO works with other jurisdictions along the shoplifters route.
