MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A 22-year-old Port St. Lucie man was arrested Sunday after deputies say he stole more than $200 worth of trading cards from a Target, fled the store, struck two vehicles while leaving the area, and was later found with dozens of counterfeit $20 bills in his car.
Thomas Robert Schuck was taken into custody Feb. 1 following a reported theft at the Target store at 2650 NW Federal Highway in Stuart, according to a probable cause affidavit from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators say store staff watched Schuck enter the store shortly after 1 p.m. and select two Phoenix “mega boxes” of trading cards and seven packs of Panini cards, items valued at a total of $224.91.
According to the affidavit, a Target employee confronted Schuck after he passed the points of sale without paying and told him to return inside and wait for law enforcement. Instead, deputies say Schuck ran from the store and left the area in a blue Mazda. During the departure, the employee reported that Schuck hit two citizens’ vehicles.
Deputies located the Mazda a short time later, traveling south on Federal Highway, and conducted a traffic stop, the affidavit states. Schuck was detained and later arrested after investigators reviewed surveillance video that they say corroborated the employee’s sworn statement.
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Following Schuck’s arrest, deputies conducted an inventory of the vehicle and reported finding a large amount of $20 bills in the glove box, along with personal items. Investigators determined the cash included 93 counterfeit $20 bills, according to the affidavit.
Schuck was arrested on allegations of petit theft, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage (two counts), and possessing counterfeit currency with intent to pass it, the affidavit states. Court records listed his court appearance as “on demand,” according to the booking document.