Two Jacksonville residents were arrested after attempting to steal over $2,500 worth of sports trading cards from a Palm Coast Target store while sheriff’s deputies were already on site investigating an unrelated theft. The suspects’ vehicle contained methamphetamine, fentanyl, and a stolen handgun.

Trading Card Theft Goes Wrong

A Target loss prevention officer spotted a man filling a plastic storage container with trading card boxes on September 21. Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies observed Andrew Simmons, 27, exit the store carrying the container before heading toward a black BMW where Madeline Whaley, 35, waited inside. As deputies moved to intercept, Simmons dropped the container and fled toward the vehicle. Authorities recovered 98 packs of sports trading cards from the abandoned container.

The timing proved particularly unfortunate for the suspects, as deputies were already present at the Palm Coast location conducting a separate theft investigation when the trading card incident unfolded.

Discovery Of Drugs And Stolen Firearm

During the arrest, deputies searched the BMW and discovered methamphetamine, fentanyl, and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. Officers also found a handgun that had been reported stolen in Jacksonville. Simmons had four outstanding warrants at the time of his arrest, compounding his legal troubles beyond the immediate theft charges.

Simmons faces charges including grand theft, drug possession, and drug paraphernalia possession in addition to the existing warrants. Whaley was charged with accessory after the fact, drug possession, weapons violations, and grand theft of a firearm.

What This Means

Both suspects were transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility in Flagler County. Simmons is being held without bond due to his outstanding warrants and the severity of the combined charges. Whaley’s bond was set at $25,000. The case highlights how retail theft operations often involve additional criminal activity, with what began as a shoplifting incident uncovering illegal drugs and stolen weapons. The presence of law enforcement at the scene for an unrelated matter prevented the suspects from completing their theft attempt. Trading cards have become increasingly valuable targets for thieves as collectors drive up market prices for rare and limited-edition sports cards.