What started as a quick hardware-store errand on Atlantic Boulevard turned into a full-on foot chase Wednesday afternoon, when Sheriff T.K. Waters sprinted after a man accused of trying to walk out with about $500 in unpaid merchandise.
Waters was at the store picking up an order at customer service when staff flagged the suspected theft, according to officials. The sheriff and a retired robbery detective chased the man into the parking lot, took him to the ground after a brief scuffle, and helped hold him until backup arrived. Shoppers reportedly cheered from the sidelines as deputies moved in and the suspect was placed in handcuffs.
In a post from the Jax Sheriff's Office, officials identified the suspect as 40-year-old Jacksonville resident Raymond Pena Jr. The agency said Pena is charged with theft and resisting arrest, and accused of trying to walk out of the store with roughly $500 in merchandise. According to the sheriff’s post, Pena also had two active warrants for theft. District 2 patrol officers responded to the scene and took over the investigation.
Waters used the incident to underscore that he still sees himself as a street cop at heart. “Just because I was elected sheriff doesn’t mean I’m no longer a policeman,” he wrote, adding that he will “always do what I can to protect the city.”
Retail Theft Pressure Goes Beyond One Store
Local shopowners say quick, grab-and-run cases like Wednesday’s are part of a larger pattern that has retailers on edge. The National Retail Federation reports that most retailers have seen the same or higher levels of aggression and violence compared with the previous year, along with increases in threats and weapon-related incidents. Those trends, industry sources say, are pushing stores to step up employee training and tighten security.
What Happens Next
District 2 officers processed the scene, and investigators will forward the case to prosecutors for charging decisions. According to the sheriff’s post, the suspect faces counts of theft and resisting arrest. Under Duval County procedures, booking and arraignment will follow.
