Felons accused of stealing hundreds worth of tequila from Florida Costco
The Collier County Sheriff's Office said store surveillance video footage from May 1 showed 28-year-old Courtney Gerell Bryant and 40-year-old Nikita Lynn Hicks concealing eight bottles of Don Julio and Silver Patron tequila valued at $547.92.
'Flying car' being tested in downtown Tampa
Investigators said the pair fled in a silver Chevy Malibu.
On Tuesday evening, deputies said they conducted a traffic stop on a silver Malibu.
Hicks, the driver, had an active warrant from Polk County. Her passenger, Bryant, was seen wearing the same clothes seen in the Costco footage, according to deputies. Both were taken into custody.
The sheriff's office said Hicks was charged with the Polk warrant, felony petty theft for the Costco theft and a traffic-related offense that lead to the traffic stop. Bryant was charged with violating state probation and felony petty theft for the Costco theft.
Inside the vehicle, detectives said they found a large quantity of suspected stolen merchandise, including liquor, personal hygiene products and clothing, many with anti-theft devices still attached.
Investigators said more charges are expected as they determine whether the pair is tied to similar thefts in Collier County. They are also suspected of multiple retail thefts throughout Southwest Florida.
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