Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A 41-year-old man and his 13-year-old son were arrested Wednesday after authorities said they stole merchandise from Bass Pro Shops during three separate incidents.
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as Joshua Cas Wilkes. Deputies said they were called to the Bass Pro Shops at 2650 Bass Pro Shops Blvd. at about 7:45 p.m. on June 11 after Wilkes and the teen had left the store and were allegedly running from an asset protection officer.
According to investigators, store surveillance video showed Wilkes and his son entering the store together around 6 p.m. on May 20. The pair allegedly spent time in the flashlight aisle before choosing merchandise worth $279.96, removing it from its packaging, and hiding the items in their clothing and cross-body bags. Deputies said they then left the store without paying.
Authorities said the two returned on June 9 and were again recorded on surveillance video entering the store together. During that visit, they allegedly took merchandise valued at $539.94, removed the items from their packaging, concealed them, and left without paying.
Investigators said Wilkes and his son came back to the store on June 11 and again began selecting merchandise and taking it out of its packaging. When an asset protection officer confronted them and told them to stop, the two allegedly ran from the store without paying for items valued at $334.97.
Wilkes reportedly stated spontaneously that he had fentanyl, and a search incident to arrest reportedly produced 0.02 grams of fentanyl.
Wilkes and his son were both charged with organized retail theft over $750, tampering with evidence, and resisting a retail merchant. Wilkes has also been charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Wilkes has seven felony convictions (non-violent) and five misdemeanor convictions (two violent); he spent six months in the Alachua County jail following a domestic battery arrest in February 2025. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $215,000.
Additional informaton on Wilkes’ son was not provided.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
