- January 30, 2026
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit made two arrests on Tuesday, [Jan. 27] one arrest on Wednesday [Jan. 28] and on Thursday [Jan. 29] the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office made an arrest on a Flagler County fugitive warrant for a fourth suspect, all following separate investigations into unrelated thefts in Flagler County.
Cuban National Arrested for Publix Meat Thefts
Cuban national “meats” detectives, who grill him about a string of meaty thefts at two Palm Coast markets, after his appetite for prime cuts proved costly.
Deputies arrested Heannys O. Alvarez Reyna, 30, of Jacksonville, for retail theft after they determined he had beefed up his freezer with nearly $4,000 worth of stolen steaks, roasts and lamb – tenderly removing them from store shelves without paying a single buck.
On Jan. 5, surveillance footage captured Alvarez Reyna around 7:43 p.m. at the Belle Terre Crossings Publix, where he tenderly selected $1,574.86 in premium beef and lamb before making a clean cut for the exit. Less than 20 minutes later, Alvarez Reyna drove to the Island Walk at Palm Coast Publix, padding his pack with $2,084 worth of pork, top sirloin, brisket, tenderloin, and personal care products.
Through investigative means, detectives identified Alvarez Reyna as the driver of the suspect vehicle from both thefts. Alvarez Reyna later told detectives that after his stealing spree, he drove to his girlfriend's residence, only to discover she was there cooking with another man, which prompted him to toss most of the stolen meat.
“This wasn't just a case of someone trying to ‘meat’ their budget. This was a calculated, ‘high-steaks operation’ that left two stores with significant losses,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “While this suspect's selection was choice, his method wasn’t kosher. He really tried to milk the system and by now he’s found out that the Green Roof Inn does not serve premium meats.”
Alvarez Reyna, who is a Cuban national, was arrested for felony retail theft and transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held on a $5,000 bond in addition to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer.
“His relationship may have been past its prime, but stealing isn’t the way to cure what ails you. The bottom line is this: If you steal from our stores, we will catch you and you will ‘meat’ the consequences,” Sheriff Staly added.
Home Health Worker Arrested for Stealing from Patients’ Homes
On Jan. 27, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested a home health worker after an investigation determined she stole jewelry from the homes of patients who had entrusted her with their care.
On Jan. 4, deputies responded to a home in the F-Section of Palm Coast for a reported theft. The victim told deputies that she had hired Vitas Home Health to provide hospice care for her husband and that she believed one of their employees, identified as Jnese Stephens-Buners, 38, of Palm Coast, had stolen multiple pieces of jewelry from a jewelry dish on top of her dresser while inside their home. According to the victim, Vitas Home Health employees had been using the dresser for medical storage, and the jewelry was within arm’s reach.
FCSO General Assignment Unit detectives received information that Stephens-Buners told her employers that she had taken the items. Further investigation determined that Stephens-Buners pawned the jewelry on Dec. 18, 2025, and that nearly all of the jewelry had been melted down. Only one item was recovered.
During the investigation, Stephens-Buners told detectives that she took the jewelry and then pawned it at a local pawn shop, where she had made a profit of $1,320. 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. Always remember to lock-up your valuables when you have workers in your home.”
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Stephens-Buners on Jan. 27 for dealing in stolen property. Shortly after the warrant was issued, the FCSO Fugitive Unit located and arrested Stephens-Buners on her active warrant. She was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where she was later released on a $2,500 bond.
Palm Coast Man Arrested for Construction Fraud
On Jan. 28, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Palm Coast man on an active warrant issued a day earlier following the completion of a fraud investigation in which the suspect used his customers’ credit card to purchase thousands of dollars’ worth of items unrelated to a construction project he was working on.
The victims told detectives the suspect, identified as John Nashmy, 41, of Palm Coast, was given their credit card in May of 2025 to purchase construction supplies to repair a fence and storage shed and build stairs on their property and later returned it in October at their request. Afterward, the victims discovered an unusually high credit card bill and began reviewing the charges. They also told detectives they had given Nashmy $1,800 for the construction project through Cash App.
During the investigation, detectives determined that Nashmy had made $3,473.78 worth of unauthorized transactions, purchasing items completely unrelated to the construction projects, 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. You can search for reputable contractors on the Flagler Home Builders Association website."
Nashmy was arrested on his warrant for grand theft and transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held on $5,000 bond.
St. Augustine Career Criminal Wanted for Felony Retail Theft Arrested
On Jan. 29, with assistance from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office arrested a St. Augustine man on an active Flagler County warrant issued Tuesday for felony retail theft after an investigation revealed he had stolen power tools from Lowe’s.
In late December 2025 and early January 2026, the suspect, identified as Joseph Perkins, 44, used fraudulent receipts on multiple occasions at the Lowe’s in Palm Coast to steal table saws. In total, Perkins stole $1,428 of 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. Slick steal or snatch and grab from our businesses and the Flagler County Sheriff's Office or our friends and partners in law enforcement will arrest you.”
With assistance from the FCSO Fugitive Unit, Perkins was located and arrested by SJSO and transferred to the St. Johns County Detention Center. He was later released on $7,500 bond.
