The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has arrested a habitual offender after an Organized Retail Theft Unit investigation revealed a barcode manipulation scheme targeting Lowe’s stores across Hillsborough County and Clearwater.
Mark Brents, 57, who has been in prison eleven times and has been booked into the Orient Road Jail a staggering 74 times since 1985, has now been arrested for defrauding Lowe’s of more than $4,500 in merchandise during ten separate incidents.
The HCSO Organized Retail Theft Unit (ORT) became aware of the fraudulent activity and immediately launched an investigation earlier this month. Brent's fraudulent activities involved placing barcodes from cheaper items onto more expensive products or scanning significantly less expensive items instead of paying the total price. This barcode manipulation scheme allowed him to defraud Lowe’s on multiple occasions. Investigators also uncovered several ads placed online by Brents, advertising stolen items.
In coordination with the Clearwater Police Department, the ORT launched a covert operation to arrest Brents. On August 21, 2024, Brents was observed driving erratically in a black Nissan Altima with an improper tag. Upon Brents' return to his residence, the ORT, alongside Clearwater Police, successfully took Brents into custody.
"Our Organized Retail Theft Unit, working hand-in-hand with the Clearwater Police Department, successfully apprehended a career criminal before he could victimize more businesses in our community. This partnership was crucial in stopping a thief who has been a repeated offender for decades, and speaks volumes of the power of collaboration between law enforcement agencies," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Despite this individual's lengthy criminal history, he still has not learned his lesson. We will not tolerate habitual offenders who continue to prey on our community."
Brents is facing multiple charges, including:
- Organized Scheme to Defraud Less than $20,000
- Retail Theft $3,000 or More
- Felony Petit Theft
Brents was on probation for Felony Fleeing to Elude at the time of his arrest. The Clearwater Police Department has filed additional charges related to the stolen property.
“Our detectives were happy to work with their counterparts from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office to get this individual off the streets,” said Clearwater Police Chief Eric Gandy. “He has a long history of breaking the law in multiple jurisdictions.”
This is an ongoing investigation. Brents' mugshot, provided by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, is available for media use. Any updates will be released by the HCSO Public Affairs Office.