POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies have arrested 22-year-old Justin Johnson following a grand theft investigation at the Ace Hardware located at 1218 Finley Ave in Davenport.
The investigation began on Monday, April 27, 2026, after the store owner reported a pattern of unusually high refund amounts occurring over the previous week.
According to investigators, fraudulent transactions ranging from $400 to $1,500 took place between April 18 and April 26. The total amount of fraudulent charges reached approximately $7,897.81.
Surveillance footage reviewed by deputies identified Johnson, the store’s assistant manager, as the individual conducting the transactions.
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Evidence indicated that Johnson created false sales and processed returns at his register, using his phone at the payment terminal to transfer the refunded money into his personal account.
The store owner informed deputies that Johnson unexpectedly quit his job on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Following the investigation, deputies arrested Johnson and charged him with grand theft of more than $5,000 but less than $10,000 (F3) and defraud to obtain property less than $20,000 (F3).
“This was a clear case of an employee abusing his position for personal gain,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “I’m proud of the quick work by our deputies and grateful to the business owner who reported the suspicious activity. We will always stand with our local businesses and hold offenders accountable.”
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