By-Line: Joseph Bober, FCSO
Following a joint investigation by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, an arrest has been made in connection with a series of home appliance thefts from construction sites throughout both counties.
Between late November 2024 and early January 2025, both Flagler and St. Johns counties experienced burglaries of home construction sites where new appliances were stolen. During this time, analysts from FCSO’s Real Time Crime Center and SJSO’s Real-Time Intelligence Center worked together to develop a suspect vehicle that had been spotted in the areas of multiple reported burglaries. On the vehicle, a black Chevrolet Silverado, the suspect had removed the license plate and replaced it with a license plate that was stolen in Flagler Beach.
During the investigation, the vehicle was found to have entered St. Johns County from Flagler County with an empty truck bed, then later returned to Flagler County with multiple kitchen appliances in the truck bed. Through investigation, the vehicle was then found to have traveled to a self-storage facility in Palm Coast and later left the self-storage facility with an empty truck bed.
Based on this information, the FCSO Problem Area Crime Enforcement Unit contacted the self-storage facility and detectives developed a suspect, James Shepard, 50, of Palm Coast, who had rented a storage unit at the facility.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for Shepard’s storage unit and located 22 home appliances, including refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, a washing machine, and a dryer. In addition, they located other smaller items typically found at home construction sites including paint, doorknobs, air filters, and tile grout.
On January 20, SJSO deputies conducted a traffic stop on Shepard’s vehicle after the vehicle was observed with a stolen license plate. At the time of the traffic stop, the vehicle had a refrigerator in the truck bed. Shepard was arrested for driving without a license and unlawfully attaching a license plate not assigned to the vehicle. He was transported to the St. Johns County Jail.
James Shepard (St. Johns County Jail Mugshot)
Detectives with FCSO’s General Assignment Unit obtained two warrants for Shepard for Grand Theft and Burglary of an Unoccupied Dwelling. Once Shepard’s case is resolved in St. Johns County, he will be transferred to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility to face charges for his Flagler County crimes.
“This was great teamwork between our Real Time Crime Centers and detectives, and I commend their efforts,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “This should be a warning to criminals that our teams work together without boundaries to solve crimes and put your ass in jail if you prey on our counties.”
Detectives from both counties are seeking victims who may have purchased appliances from Shepard without realizing they were stolen. If you bought appliances from Shepard since January 1, please contact law enforcement as soon as possible, as you may be a victim of a crime. Residents of Flagler County are encouraged to call 386-313-4911 or email TIPS@flaglersheriff.com, while residents of St. Johns County are encouraged to call 904-824-8304 or email sointelligence@sjso.org.
