Duval County Man Found Guilty of String of Liquor Store Thefts

Duval County Man Found Guilty of String of Liquor Store Thefts

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announced that a Duval County jury has found Gary Lucas guilty of one count of Retail Theft and six counts of Petit Theft related to a series of liquor store thefts in mid-2024. The jury convicted Lucas for stealing over $1,400 worth of liquor from businesses in Jacksonville, Florida.

The crimes took place on June 11, 2024, when Lucas was seen stealing liquor bottles from two separate stores on Blanding Boulevard and Lane Avenue. Employees from both locations identified Lucas as the suspect due to a distinctive skull tattoo on his right calf, which was visible during the thefts. One store associate was able to confirm his identity through a photo spread. In total, Lucas committed 17 thefts, taking 49 bottles of liquor.

Lucas now faces the possibility of being labeled a Habitual Felony Violent Offender due to a prior robbery conviction. If the court deems him a habitual offender, Lucas could be sentenced to up to 30 years in Florida State Prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Nicholas Salatino Jr. and Michael Eckhart. Sentencing will be determined by the Honorable Anthony Salem at a later date.

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