A series of alleged thefts at several Winn-Dixie stores has led to the arrest of Brian Albright, a Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department engineer. Over the span of several months, Albright is accused of engaging in petit theft on 27 different occasions, according to an arrest report from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office obtained by First Coast News.
Allegations surfaced on July 29 when a complainant alerted the authorities to Albright's activities, specifying incidents that occurred between March 11 and July 18. Reports provided to the police included video evidence and receipts, which suggested that Albright failed to scan certain items during his self-checkout process. The aggregate value of the stolen goods likely surpasses $750, yet an exact total remains unconfirmed due to variable pricing on items like steak and packaged meats, as noted by First Coast News.
The Integrity Unit, primarily responsible for investigating criminal allegations against city employees, took charge of this case due to Albright's role as an engineer for the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. News4Jax reported that while Albright did use the self-checkout correctly for multiple items, he systematically failed to pay for some consumable goods each time.
Notably, the arrest report highlights that on several occasions, Albright was in uniform and on duty while committing thefts. On another instance, Albright was accompanied by a minor who assisted him during the self-checkout process. This detail was uncovered through an investigation that was prompted by a Region Asset Protection Manager for Winn-Dixie who reported the incidents to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, as told by a detective to News4Jax.
Following his arrest on Monday, Albright was later released on bond. Action News Jax provided information on his booking into Duval County Jail, with bond set at $3,503. The specific bond amount was confirmed by reports from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
