JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Five people have been charged in connection with a retail theft ring accused of stealing more than $22,000 worth of merchandise from a Jacksonville Beach Home Depot over a four-month period, according to the Jacksonville Beach Police Department.
The investigation began on April 9, 2026, after police received reports linking 24 separate thefts at the Home Depot between Jan. 2 and April 9.
Detective Filbert of the department’s General Investigations Unit partnered with Home Depot Loss Prevention personnel to identify those responsible for the thefts.
On April 13, detectives learned the suspects had allegedly committed another theft at a Home Depot in Jacksonville and were believed to be traveling to the Jacksonville Beach location.
With assistance from General Investigations Unit detectives, Downtown CAPE officers and patrol officers, law enforcement located the suspects’ vehicle and took four individuals into custody. Officers also recovered nearly $2,500 worth of stolen merchandise during the operation.
As the investigation continued, detectives identified two additional suspects connected to the theft ring. One has since been arrested, while the second is wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant.
Police identified those charged as:
- Zeain Ray Hazlett, connected to 13 thefts and charged with 22 offenses, including three counts of petit theft, nine counts of grand theft and 10 counts of coordinating with others to commit retail theft.
- Carrie Lynn Downs, connected to 11 thefts and charged with 19 offenses, including three counts of petit theft, seven counts of grand theft and nine counts of coordinating with others to commit retail theft.
- Taurean Laurente Smith, connected to 20 thefts and charged with 34 offenses, including five counts of petit theft, 15 counts of grand theft and 14 counts of coordinating with others to commit retail theft.
- Dion Romero Mixson, connected to at least 10 thefts and charged with 18 offenses, including three counts of petit theft, five counts of grand theft and 10 counts of coordinating with others to commit retail theft.
- Raymond Lorenzo Wright, connected to at least two thefts and charged with four offenses, including one count of grand theft, one count of felony petit theft and two counts of coordinating with others to commit retail theft.
Collectively, the five defendants face 97 criminal charges stemming from the investigation.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing.