Port Orange Police Apprehend Serial Shoplifters After Pursuit

On March 16, 2024, officers from the Port Orange Police Department’s Alpha platoon responded to a retail theft in progress at a local beauty supply store.

According to authorities, one of the suspects, identified as Acquanette Benjamin from Daytona Beach, allegedly entered the store and absconded with approximately $3,300 worth of products. Fortunately, an attentive customer inside the store promptly notified the police, providing crucial details such as the description of the getaway vehicle and its license plate number.

Officer McDowell, acting on the provided information, managed to locate the fleeing vehicle and initiated a stop. During the pursuit, the passenger inside the vehicle began discarding the stolen items. The vehicle eventually halted in a parking lot, leading to the arrest of both Benjamin and the driver, identified as Terra Ravenell, also from Daytona Beach.

Thanks to the swift action of law enforcement, most of the stolen merchandise was recovered and returned to the store. Benjamin and Ravenell were taken into custody without further incident and transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail.

In a statement, the Port Orange Police Department expressed gratitude for the community’s assistance, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in apprehending suspects. It was revealed that Benjamin had been previously arrested on January 13, 2024, by the same department for a similar theft attempt at the same store, involving approximately $5,100 worth of items.

Authorities suspect Benjamin may be linked to a string of thefts totaling almost $100,000 across the state of Florida over recent months. They urge anyone with relevant information to contact the Port Orange Police Department at (386)248-1777.

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.