Woman with 6 warrants accused of barcode-swapping scam at a Cape Coral Target
Updated: 11:35 AM EST Nov 26, 2025
A Cape Coral woman was arrested on Nov. 25 after being accused of retail theft.Officers from the Cape Coral Police Department responded to a reported theft at Target, where a store employee reported that Melissa Ann Chase, 38, entered the store and stole strawberries, beef hide chews and bacteria gel. Chase then reportedly removed a barcode from a $0.99 item and used it to scan the items she had, only paying $2.97 on a $44.47 purchase.Officers arrested Chase when they saw her leaving her home. A records check found that she had six active felony warrants for burglary and theft.Chase is being charged with theft of merchandise with prior theft convictions, burglary of a dwelling, dealing in stolen property, grand theft of $750 or more and multiple counts of petit theft.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
A Cape Coral woman was arrested on Nov. 25 after being accused of retail theft.
Officers from the Cape Coral Police Department responded to a reported theft at Target, where a store employee reported that Melissa Ann Chase, 38, entered the store and stole strawberries, beef hide chews and bacteria gel. Chase then reportedly removed a barcode from a $0.99 item and used it to scan the items she had, only paying $2.97 on a $44.47 purchase.
Officers arrested Chase when they saw her leaving her home. A records check found that she had six active felony warrants for burglary and theft.
Chase is being charged with theft of merchandise with prior theft convictions, burglary of a dwelling, dealing in stolen property, grand theft of $750 or more and multiple counts of petit theft.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.