Couple Arrested for Pawning Stolen Video Game Controllers


                                                                                                                NEWS RELEASE 17-194 - AUGUST 18, 2017

                                                                    Bell, Angelica          fields, paul

                                                                                                 Angelica Bell                                                                 Paul Fields

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested a North Port couple Thursday afternoon for pawning stolen video game controllers.

On August 17, deputies were alerted to a theft at the Walmart Superstore at 4150 S. Tamiami Trail in Venice, after several empty Microsoft Xbox One wireless controller packages were discovered in the store. Video surveillance shows two subjects standing at the Microsoft Xbox controllers section, removing the anti-theft security device from the display, grabbing four controllers and then exiting the store.

As deputies were in route, the manager contacted the nearby Gamestop store at 4260 S. Tamiami Trail and was informed two individuals who matched the suspect’s description were recently in the store pawning controllers, but none matched the stolen items. While investigating further, deputies were notified that the same two individuals were attempting to pawn controllers at the Gamestop store located at 6585 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.

Deputies responded to that location and conducted a traffic stop as Paul Fields, DOB 04/26/1990 and Angelica Bell, DOB 09/21/1990 were leaving the area. During a search of the vehicle, several more video game controllers were discovered.

Angelica Bell was charged with Petit Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property and giving False Info to Secondhand Dealer and is being held on $7,500 bond. Paul Fields was charged with Dealing in Stolen Property, Use of Anti-Theft Countermeasure and Petit Theft and is being held on $10,740 bond.