JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — Jacksonville Beach police were called to a reported theft at Ulta Beauty, 3928 3rd St. just after 2 p.m. Saturday. When officers arrived they located a man in a vehicle parked in front of Staples. The man matched the description of one of the suspects, a Jacksonville Beach police news release states.
Officers then saw another male with a cart full of merchandise running from Staples while being chased by store employees. That male began throwing the merchandise into the vehicle, the news release states.
Officers detained the man who was sitting in the vehicle. He has been identified as Gilbert Simmons, the news release states. The man who was running out of Staples was identified as Joshua Hough. He ran away from officers into Home Depot where he tried to hide from officers, the news release states.
Officers were able to locate him inside the store.
"Further investigation revealed Hough had stolen merchandise from five stores within Jacksonville Beach (Rack Room Shoes, Books-A-Million, Ace Hardware, Ulta Beauty, and Staples) totaling approximately $4,200.00," the news release states.
Simmons, 37, was charged with two counts of accessory to grand theft. Hough, 38, was charged with 3 counts of petit theft and 2 counts of grand theft. Both were booked into the Duval County jail.