On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at approximately 4:39 p.m., the Cape Coral Police Department responded to a reported retail theft at the Target store located at 1890 NE Pine Island Road in Cape Coral, Florida. A store loss prevention associate reported that a woman known as Melissa Ann Chase (DOB 09/15/1987), a repeat retail theft offender, entered the store and committed a theft. Chase was identified by her distinct blue and purple hair and multiple tattoos on her face, torso, and right arm.
Chase reportedly selected 2 lbs. of strawberries valued at $6.99, beef hide chews valued at $10.49, and New Freshness Bacterial Vaginosis Gel valued at $26.99. She then removed a barcode from a travel item priced at $0.99 and used it at self-checkout, scanning it three times and paying only $2.97, causing a loss of $41.50 to the store. After the transaction, she passed all points of sale without paying the correct amount, ignored the loss prevention associate’s attempt to stop her, and fled in a white SUV. Probable cause was established for retail theft, with the offense enhanced based on prior theft convictions.
On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at approximately 7:20 a.m., a Cape Coral Police Department officer observed Chase leaving a residence on NW 21st Street. Chase was detained and identified, and a records check confirmed she had six active felony warrants for burglary of a dwelling, dealing in stolen property with grand theft, and multiple counts of petit theft, including a charge involving three or more prior theft convictions. All warrants were confirmed, and Chase was arrested and taken to the Lee County Jail on the following charges:
- Theft of merchandise with prior theft convictions, charged under Florida Statute 812.014(3)(c) (theft with two or more prior theft convictions)
- Warrant for Burglary of a dwelling: Felony burglary charge under Chapter 810, Florida Statutes (commonly charged under F.S. 810.02).
- Warrant for Dealing in stolen property: Felony trafficking in stolen goods, charged under Florida Statute 812.019.
- Warrant for Grand theft $750 or more: Felony theft of property valued at or above the statutory felony threshold, charged under Florida Statute 812.014(2).
- Three Warrants for Multiple counts of petit theft (including “three or more”): Repeated petit theft offenses enhanced to felony level due to prior theft convictions, charged under Florida Statute 812.014(3)(c).
