Melissa Guevara DOB 07/20/1997 of Plant City, Florida has been arrested and charged with felony retail theft after allegedly stealing from two Target stores in Lakeland 11 different instances totaling 51 items.
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“On 02/28/2025, I, Officer Biddick #303 was advised by Target’s Asset Prevention Associate REDACTED located at 3570 Harden Bivd in Lakeland, Florida, 33803 about a series of retail thefts to the business. The victim is identified as Target (two locations), which are located at 3570 Harden Blvd in Lakeland, Florida, 33803 (South), and the Target located at 4005 US Highway 98 N in Lakeland, 33809 (North).
I made contact with Target’s (South) Asset Protection Associate REDACTED, who witnessed through surveillance and floor observation revealed the following;
REDACTED advised the defendant in this case is a repeat offender, identified as Melissa Guevara (DOB: 07/20/1997). REDACTED had encountered the defendant, who had 20 prior incidents, which occurred between 06/14/2024 and 11/03/2024, and charges and pursued under Lakeland Police Department complaint affidavit case number 2024-00105808.
REDACTED stated the following 8 recent thefts occurred at the Target (South) located at 3570 Harden Blvd in Lakeland, Florida, 33803;
On 11/25/2024 at approximately 1719 hours, the defendant was observed through surveillance video at the self-checkout register. During the transaction, the defendant was observed “skip scanning” failing to scan 3 items. The defendant rendered payment using a Target Credit card (card # REDACTED)
At approximately 1722 hours, the defendant then passes all points of sale without rendering proper payment for 3 items with a total value of $39.97.
On 11/30/2024 at approximately 2018 hours, the defendant was observed through surveillance video at the self-checkout register. During the transaction, the defendant was observed “skip scanning” failing to scan 1 item for retail value of $25.00 and “ticket switched” by using a falsified tag of $18.00 for a Stanley Cup retail value for 5.00 and a falsified tag of $7.50 for a shirt retail value $25.00. The defendant rendered payment using a Target Credit card (card # REDACTED)
At approximately 2020 hours, the defendant then passes all points of sale without rendering proper payment for 3 items with a total value of $59.49.
On 12/18/2024 at approximately 1814 hours, the defendant was observed through surveillance video at the self-checkout register. During the transaction, the defendant vas observed “skip scanning” failing to scan 2 items. The defendant rendered ayment using a Gift Card (#REDACTED) and Target Credit card (card #REDACTED)
At approximately 1817 hours, the defendant then passes all points of sale without rendering proper payment for 2 items with a total value of $16.28.
On 12/26/2024 at approximately 1551 hours, the defendant was observed through surveillance video at the self-checkout register. During the transaction, the defendant was observed “ticket switched” 4 items by using a falsified tag of $2.00 for a Stanley Cup retail value for $45.00, falsified tag of $12.00 for a Disney Dress retail value for $49.99, falsified tag of 10.00 for a Disney Dress retail value for $19.99, and falsified tag of $12.00 for a Disney Dress retail value for $19.99. The defendant rendered payment using a Gift Card (#REDACTED) and Target Credit card (card #REDACTED).
At approximately 1536 hours, the defendant then passes all points of sale without rendering proper payment for 4 items with a total value of $98.97.
On 01/01/2025 at approximately 1952 hours, the defendant was observed through surveillance video at the self-checkout register. During the transaction, the defendant was observed “ticket switching” 1 item by using a falsified tag of $4.99 for a Stanley Cup retail value for $35.00 and “skip scanning” failing to scan 5 items. totaling $37.99. The defendant rendered payment using an EBT card (REDACTED).
At approximately 1955 hours, the defendant then passes all points of sale without rendering proper payment for 6 items with a total value of $87.00.
On 01/03/2025 at approximately 1427 hours, the defendant was observed through surveillance video at the self-checkout register. During the transaction, the defendant was observed “skip scanning” failing to scan 11 items, total retail value of $77.98, and “ticket switched” by using a falsified tag of $7.00 for a girl’s clothing item retail value of $20.00. The defendant rendered payment using a Target Credit card (card #REDACTED)
At approximately 1432 hours, the defendant then passes all points of sale without rendering proper payment for 12 items with a total value of $90.98.
On 01/17/2025 at approximately 2124 hours, the defendant was observed through surveillance video at the self-checkout register. During the transaction, the defendant was observed “skip scanning” failing to scan 9 items. At approximately 2129 hours, the defendant passes all points of sale without rendering proper payment for 9 items with a total value of $140.51.
On 01/24/2025 at approximately 1909 hours, the defendant was observed through surveillance video at the self-checkout register. During the transaction, the defendant was observed “skip scanning” failing to scan 4 items. The defendant rendered payment using an EBT card (REDACTED) and Target Credit card (card #REDACTED).
At approximately 1912 hours, the defendant then passes all points of sale without rendering proper payment for 4 items with a total value of $52.96.
On 02/20/2025 at approximately 1513 hours, the defendant was observed through surveillance video at the self-checkout register. During the transaction, the defendant was observed “skip scanning” failing to scan 4 items. At approximately 1520 hours, the defendant passes all points of sale without rendering proper payment for 4 items with a total value of $48.98.
On this date, Asset Protection Associate REDACTED, approached the defendant, who refused to come into the Asset Protection Office and stated she could not be detained. REDACTED stated the defendant told her children (female and male, between 5-10 years old) to run after being advised law enforcement would be contacted. The defendant and children left the business in a Black Chevrolet bearing Florida tag GTRQ76, registered owner Melissa Guevara.
The following 2 recent thefts occurred at the Target (North) located at 4005 US Highway 98 N in Lakeland, 33809.
I made contact with Target’s (North) Asset Protection REDACTED, who witnessed through surveillance and floor observation revealed the following;
On 11/05/2024 at approximately 1158 hours, the defendant was observed through surveillance video at the self-checkout register. During the transaction, the defendant was observed “skip scanning” failing to scan 1 item. At approximately 1200 hours, the defendant passes all points of sale without rendering proper payment for 1 item with a total value of $7.00.
On 11/14/2024 at approximately 1056 hours, the defendant was observed through surveillance video at the self-checkout register. During the transaction, the defendant was observed “ticket switching” 1 item by using a falsified tag of $15.00 for a comforter set retail value of $99.00 and “skip scanning” failing to scan 2 items, total retail value of 24.98. At approximately 1100 hours, the defendant passes all points of sale without rendering proper payment for 3 items with a total value of $108.98. Asset Protection REDACTED stated the defendant left the business in a Black Chevrolet bearing Florida tag GTRQ76.
Based on the above facts coupled with the identification made by witness REDACTED and REDACTED, the defendant knowingly obtained the merchandise with the intent to permanently deprive the victim/merchant, of possession, use, benefit, and full retail value; as a result, and given the defendant committing 11 retail thefts (w/in 120 days 11/05/24-02/20/2025) with an aggregated total of 51 items of $751.12 stolen at 2 different physical locations; there is sufficient probable cause to charge the defendant (Melissa Guevara) with Felony Retail Theft (3 or more w/in 120 days 10 or more items stolen).
The defendant demonstrated a repeated course of conduct (11 incidents) with the intent to “defraud” by utilizing “ticket switching” and “skip scanning” schemes which were under pretenses and willful misrepresentations; therefore, there is sufficient probable cause to charge the defendant with Scheme to Defraud.”
