Four Tampa residents were arrested Wednesday evening after allegedly stealing from an Ulta Beauty store in Naples and leading deputies on a high-speed chase.
“Once again your Collier County Sheriff’s Office has made good on our commitment to arrest individuals who come from outside our safe community to commit felonious activity,” Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said. “Our deputies and detectives are second to none: They will identify you, find you and arrest you.
Shortly after 6:30 pm, deputies responded to a theft report at the Ulta on Pine Ridge Road. Store employees had apprehended four suspects for shoplifting, but they fled in a white Dodge Charger with stolen merchandise, including expensive perfumes.
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Deputies located the vehicle entering Mercato and attempted a traffic stop. However, the driver sped away, initiating a pursuit. The chase ended at the intersection of US-41 North and Immokalee Road when the Charger collided with another vehicle.
Though the suspects briefly attempted to escape on foot, deputies quickly apprehended them. All four individuals, identified as M’Ya Arkia Joseph (25), Oma James Leroy Ervi McCrae (25), Kentravia Shantrell Gholston (28), and Sophia Lexus Adkins (28), are Tampa residents facing charges of grand theft and resisting arrest.
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Joseph, the driver, faces additional charges for fleeing and eluding, driving on a suspended license, and leaving the scene of an accident. Notably, both Joseph and McCrae have prior felony convictions.
A search of the Charger revealed thousands of dollars worth of stolen Ulta merchandise with tags still attached. Items from other stores were also found, suggesting possible additional criminal activity.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing.
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