On December 31, St. Johns County Deputies responded to a shoplifting incident at Walmart on US 1 South. Suspects Eric Badore, 41, and Jamie Blake, 36, were seen on surveillance footage attempting to open locked electronics cases and attempting to steal thousands of dollars worth of merchandise. They communicated with a lookout, identified as Jeffrey Laroche, who waited outside for law enforcement. When deputies arrived, Badore and Blake left the store, but were detained in the parking lot.
Badore fled the scene on foot, evading arrest, while Blake provided false identification. Deputies discovered Blake had two active out-of-state warrants, leading to her arrest on charges of grand theft, providing false identification, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. Further investigation revealed that Badore and Blake were part of an organized retail theft gang, responsible for other thefts in St. Johns County and beyond.
On January 2, the SJSO Task Force United received a tip that Badore was seeking a bondsman for Blake using the same vehicle from the theft. Deputies located the vehicle near State Road 16 and Tenth Street and attempted a traffic stop. Laroche, driving, and Badore, a passenger, fled the scene, driving through a yard and striking multiple buildings before the vehicle became disabled. Both suspects were quickly apprehended.
Badore faces charges of grand theft, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and resisting without violence. Laroche is charged with aggravated fleeing with property damage, resisting an officer without violence, and leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage.
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