Port Charlotte Vape Heist Hits Felony Mark, Suspect Still on the Loose
A suspect stole over $750 in vape cartridges from a closed Port Charlotte store, turning the theft into a felony.Summary
Charlotte County deputies are searching for a man who broke into a closed Daybreak Market in Port Charlotte late Tuesday night and stole more than $750 worth of vape cartridges, elevating the crime from misdemeanor petit theft to third-degree felony grand theft under Florida law, which carries up to five years in prison, five years of probation, and a $5,000 fine. The suspect was last seen near Veronica Street and remains at large. The $750 felony threshold was raised from the previous $300 limit in 2019. Prosecutors can also aggregate multiple thefts to escalate charges. Local residents Kayla Riner and Henry Gustaf expressed concern about safety and the possibility of resale of the stolen items. Deputies are using the Connect Charlotte County camera registry to gather leads and are asking anyone with information or security footage to contact the sheriff's office or Crime Stoppers, where anonymous tips can earn up to $3,000. The case reflects a broader trend of theft targeting vape retailers in Florida.
(Source：Hoodline)
