The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests of four suspects this week in connection with unrelated theft cases across the county. The Fugitive Unit made two arrests on Tuesday and one on Wednesday, while the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office arrested a fourth suspect on Thursday on a Flagler County warrant.
Nearly $4,000 in Meat Stolen from Two Publix Stores
Deputies arrested Heannys O. Alvarez Reyna, 30, of Jacksonville, for retail theft after determining he stole nearly $4,000 worth of meat from two Palm Coast Publix stores on January 5.
Surveillance footage captured Alvarez Reyna at approximately 7:43 p.m. at the Belle Terre Crossings Publix, where he took $1,574.86 in premium beef and lamb before leaving without paying. Less than 20 minutes later, he drove to the Island Walk at Palm Coast Publix and took $2,084 worth of pork, top sirloin, brisket, tenderloin, and personal care products.
Detectives identified Alvarez Reyna as the driver of the suspect vehicle from both thefts. He later told detectives that after the thefts, he drove to his girlfriend’s residence and discovered she was there with another man, which prompted him to throw away most of the stolen meat.
“This wasn’t just a case of someone trying to ‘meet’ their budget. This was a calculated, ‘high-steaks operation’ that left two stores with significant losses,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly.
Alvarez Reyna, a Cuban national, was charged with felony retail theft and is being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility on $5,000 bond in addition to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer.
Home Health Worker Stole Jewelry from Patients
On January 27, deputies arrested Jnese Stephens-Buners, 38, of Palm Coast, after an investigation determined she stole jewelry from the homes of patients who had entrusted her with their care.
On January 4, deputies responded to a home in the F-Section of Palm Coast where the victim reported that she had hired Vitas Home Health to provide hospice care for her husband. The victim believed Stephens-Buners had stolen multiple pieces of jewelry from a jewelry dish on top of her dresser. Vitas Home Health employees had been using the dresser for medical storage, and the jewelry was within reach.
Detectives learned that Stephens-Buners told her employers she had taken the items. The investigation revealed she pawned the jewelry on December 18, 2025, making a profit of $1,320. Nearly all of the jewelry had been melted down, and only one item was recovered.
Detectives also determined that Stephens-Buners had taken jewelry from a home in the W-Section while caring for another patient in early January. The victims in both cases told detectives that Stephens-Buners admitted to the thefts.
“The families in these cases should have been able to trust this individual, no questions asked,” said Sheriff Staly. “She violated this trust and took advantage of her clients when they were at their most vulnerable. We will hold anyone who abuses the trust of our residents accountable, especially when they target the elderly.”
Stephens-Buners was arrested on a warrant for dealing in stolen property and later released on $2,500 bond.
Construction Worker Used Customer’s Credit Card for Personal Purchases
On January 28, deputies arrested John Nashmy, 41, of Palm Coast, following a fraud investigation in which he used a customer’s credit card to purchase thousands of dollars worth of items unrelated to a construction project.
The victims told detectives they gave Nashmy their credit card in May 2025 to purchase construction supplies to repair a fence and storage shed and build stairs on their property. They also gave him $1,800 through Cash App for the project. When they requested the card back in October, they discovered an unusually high bill.
Detectives determined Nashmy made $3,473.78 worth of unauthorized transactions, purchasing items including a lawn mower, garage door opener, range hood, and several power tools.
“A simple background check could have saved the victim from a lot of hassle,” said Sheriff Staly. “Nashmy is a known felon, with a history of domestic violence and drug abuse. The victims should never have trusted him with their credit card. When you have construction work to do, hire a licensed and insured contractor.”
Nashmy was arrested on a warrant for grand theft and is being held on $5,000 bond.
Career Criminal Arrested for Using Fake Receipts at Lowe’s
On January 29, with assistance from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office arrested Joseph Perkins, 44, of St. Augustine, on an active Flagler County warrant for felony retail theft.
In late December 2025 and early January 2026, Perkins used fraudulent receipts on multiple occasions at the Lowe’s in Palm Coast to steal table saws. He stole a total of $1,428 in merchandise and attempted to steal an additional $769 in other tools.
Perkins has an extensive criminal history in St. Johns County, including convictions for petit theft, burglary, grand theft, and dealing in stolen property.
“Make no mistake, Perkins is a career criminal,” said Sheriff Staly. “His use of a fraudulent receipt is an old con, and it’s not fooling anyone.”
Perkins was located and arrested by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and transferred to the St. Johns County Detention Center. He was later released on $7,500 bond.
