Gainesville Police arrested a drug dealer and a buyer Monday for stealing about $3,200 in electronics from local Walmarts in the past two weeks.
Charlie V. Davis, 36, and Derrell T. Hagans, 33, were each charged with three counts of grand theft and three counts of dealing in stolen property. They lifted six e-readers, two netbooks and three cellphones, according to GPD.
Hagans wanted to buy crack cocaine from Davis, but he did not have enough money. He planned to trade the stolen electronics with Davis, who told police he only served as a lookout.
Around 8 a.m. on Jan. 26, Davis and Hagans entered the Walmart Supercenter off Waldo Road, opened an unlocked glass display and stuffed six Kindles under their clothes.
When security guards noticed the missing merchandise, they watched the security tape and saw Davis and Hagans steal the e-readers, which cost $1,049 altogether, according to police.
The same security guards got a chance to see the thieves in person that day. Davis and Hagans appeared at Walmart again at about 7:30 a.m. Monday. The guards detained them before calling the police. Davis and Hagans remained at Alachua County Jail on Tuesday evening, held on bails of $30,000 and $40,000 respectively.
Between trips to the Supercenter off Waldo Road, Davis and Hagans hit the Walmart at 2649 NW 13th St. twice, according to police.
The first time, on Feb. 7, the men stole two HP Pavilion netbooks. Davis put one in his backpack, and Hagans put one in a pants pocket.
Davis said he drove Hagans to the Walmart Supercenter on Jan. 26 but didn't steal any of the Kindles. Hagans told investigators he and Davis each stole three e-readers.
After they left the store, Davis said, Hagans gave him a pair of Kindles in exchange for $100 worth of crack cocaine. The pair made similar trades after the other two burglaries, in which Davis received a netbook, a cellphone and $40.
Hagans told investigators he sold all of the Kindles for $50-$100 each, and the other netbook sold for $150.
