JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An 18-year-old man was arrested after allegedly stealing more than $800 in merchandise from a store at St. Johns Town Center while carrying a loaded handgun equipped with a device capable of converting it into a fully automatic weapon, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO).
Je’Caryous Beasley, 18, was taken into custody Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, after attempting to flee from officers assigned to patrol the popular Jacksonville shopping center.
Officers recovered the stolen merchandise and a loaded firearm from Beasley’s backpack, according to JSO.
Officers Respond to Shoplifting Report at St. Johns Town Center
JSO District 3 Town Center Patrol officers responded to a store at St. Johns Town Center on Sept. 18 after employees reported a theft.
Store employees told officers that a young man wearing a white hoodie had placed more than $800 worth of merchandise into his backpack.
After gathering information from store personnel, officers left the business and spotted someone matching the suspect’s description.
The individual was still wearing a backpack.
When officers attempted to stop him, the suspect ran.
Officers pursued the individual on foot, caught up with him and identified him as Beasley.
Loaded Handgun With Illegal Conversion Device Discovered in Backpack
During a search of Beasley’s backpack, officers discovered a loaded handgun near the top of the bag.
According to JSO, the firearm had a live round in the chamber, meaning it was ready to fire.
Investigators also discovered that the handgun was equipped with an illegal conversion device commonly known as a switch.
Such devices can modify certain semiautomatic firearms to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger.
The sheriff’s office said the device made the handgun capable of fully automatic fire.
Officers also recovered the merchandise reported stolen from the store.
JSO did not identify the retailer or provide the exact value of the recovered items beyond stating that they exceeded $800.
Suspect Faces Four Charges, Including Two Felonies
Beasley was arrested on four charges:
- Grand theft, a felony
- Carrying a concealed firearm, a felony
- Possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor
- Resisting an officer without violence, a misdemeanor