Man arrested after multiple alleged instances of shoplifting large amounts of alcoholic beverages

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – John David Symonette, 61, was arrested yesterday and charged with two shoplifting incidents; formal charges in two more incidents of grand theft have also been filed, and Symonette is reportedly the suspect in additional theft cases.

At about 5:36 p.m. on June 28, Symonette allegedly went to the Publix at Hunters Crossing (5200 NW 43rd Street) and loaded a shopping cart with champagne, wine, beer, seltzers, and meat from the deli department valued at $1,036.96 before walking out without paying. A store employee reportedly identified Symonette in a photo line-up as the person who had stolen the items, and a sworn complaint was filed against Symonette. A formal charge of grand theft in that case was filed on July 24.

At about 8:48 a.m. on July 1, Symonette allegedly went to Winn Dixie (1459 NW 23rd Avenue) and loaded a shopping cart with high-end champagne valued at $942.44 and wine before leaving without paying. A Gainesville Police Department officer reviewed the surveillance video from the store, along with video from other incidents, and identified the suspect as Symonette. A sworn complaint was filed on July 18, and a formal charge of grand theft was filed on July 24.

At about 5:49 p.m. on July 25, Symonette allegedly went to the Publix at 1302 N. Main Street, picked up a fried chicken box valued at $9.99, and left without paying.

At about 2:28 p.m. on July 26, Symonette allegedly went to Total Wine & More (3965 Plaza Blvd), loaded a shopping cart with 20 items valued at $1,628.85, and walked out without paying. The responding GPD officer noted that surveillance video clearly shows Symonette pushing the cart out of the store.

At about 1:56 p.m. on July 27, a GPD officer located Symonette driving a rental car, conducted a traffic stop, and arrested Symonette for the Total Wine & More and Publix thefts.

Post Miranda, Symonette reportedly denied taking anything from Total Wine & More and claimed he had never heard of the store and didn’t know where it was.

An inventory search of his vehicle after he was arrested reportedly produced 1.4 grams of crack cocaine.

Symonette is currently booked on charges of grand theft, cocaine possession, and petit theft with two or more prior convictions. The arresting officer noted that he is the suspect in at least two other theft cases.

The arrest report notes that Symonette has 42 felony convictions and 35 misdemeanor convictions. He has served eight state prison sentences; his most recent sentence was for three years and nine months for 17 felonies out of Pinellas County, and he was released in 2019. His address is listed as Interlachen; in August 2023, he received a citation in Alachua County for improper passing and failing to change the address on his driver’s license, but the tickets were dismissed.

Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $15,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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