On January 1, 2025, at 12:00 AM, 63-year-old Pamela Jane Sears was arrested by the Orlando Police Department in Orange County, Florida. She was charged with petit theft of merchandise valued between $100 and $750, which is classified as a first-degree misdemeanor under Florida Statute § 812.014(2)(f)-1. This charge arises when an individual knowingly takes or attempts to take merchandise or property belonging to another person or business without permission, intending to deprive the owner of the item.
This arrest adds to a series of prior offenses for Sears. On July 20, 2023, she faced charges including resisting an officer with violence, trespassing after a warning, and battery on a law enforcement officer. Earlier, on March 12, 2022, she was arrested for trespassing after a warning. Additionally, on January 29, 2022, Sears was charged with failure to appear and multiple counts of trespassing after a warning. Her criminal record also includes a September 14, 2021, arrest for failure to appear and criminal mischief involving property damage of $1,000 or more.
Under Florida law, petit theft refers to the theft of property or merchandise below a specific value threshold. For property valued between $100 and $750, the offense is categorized as petit theft in the first degree, which is more serious than petit theft in the second degree (for property valued under $100). Examples of such theft include shoplifting items from a retail store, taking personal property from another person, or any theft where the value falls within this range.
In Florida, a first-degree misdemeanor carries significant penalties, including:
- Jail Time: Up to 1 year in county jail.
- Fines: Up to $1,000.
- Probation: Courts may impose probation in lieu of or in addition to jail time, often with conditions such as community service, restitution to the victim, and mandatory anti-theft education programs.
These repeated offenses indicate a pattern of legal issues over the past several years.
Charges Below:
Booking Date: 01/01/25 City: Orlando, Florida Age/YOB: 63
Hair: Green Eyes: Brown Weight: Height: Gender: Female
| Title | Type | Bond |
| LARC-PETIT THEFT MERCH/FARM/TRANSIT $100-$750 | Misdemeanor | $ |