By Staff Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Dellana Amilya Sams, a 24-year-old from Williston, found herself in police custody after being accused of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme. According to a Target employee, Sams allegedly pilfered merchandise worth more than $1,500 over 17 occasions.

On the afternoon of December 31, around 2:30 p.m., an officer from the Gainesville Police Department arrived at the Target located at 3970 SW Archer Road. A Loss Prevention Officer (LPO) there reported that Sams had picked items worth $99.13 and left the store without paying. The LPO then approached Sams and escorted her to the store’s Loss Prevention office.

The LPO informed the officer that Sams had been seen on previous occasions shoplifting various items amounting to $1,524.01 over 16 different visits. However, the staff had been unable to apprehend her during those incidents, and the thefts had not been formally reported to the authorities until now.

After being read her rights, Sams allegedly confessed to the theft on December 31 and acknowledged her involvement in the 16 earlier thefts. She reportedly explained that, although she was an unemployed single mother, she had the means to purchase the goods but chose not to due to long checkout lines.

Sams now faces charges of petit theft and executing a scheme to defraud. While her past criminal record wasn’t accessible due to the holiday, the arrest report indicates she has no prior theft convictions. Judge Phillip Pena has released her on her own recognizance.

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.