Two convicted felons believed to be behind a series of retail thefts across Southwest Florida were arrested in Collier County after deputies say they stole hundreds of dollars’ worth of tequila from a local store.
According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, the arrests followed an investigation into a theft at the Costco on Naples Boulevard on May 1.
Surveillance footage showed two suspects—later identified as Courtney Gerell Bryant, 28, and Nikita Lynn Hicks, 40, both of Miami—hiding eight bottles of Don Julio and Silver Patron tequila valued at nearly $550 before leaving the store in a silver Chevy Malibu.
Deputies stopped a car matching the description around 7 p.m. Thursday on Pine Ridge Road. Hicks, who was driving, had an active warrant from Polk County, and Bryant was wearing the same clothing seen in the store’s security video. Both were arrested at the scene.
Hicks faces charges related to the Polk warrant, felony petty theft for the Costco incident, and a traffic violation. Bryant faces charges of felony petty theft and violation of state probation.
Inside the car, deputies found a large quantity of suspected stolen merchandise, including liquor, personal hygiene products and clothing—many items still had anti-theft devices attached. Some devices were wrapped in tin foil, which investigators believe was an attempt to bypass store security sensors.
Detectives said more charges are likely as they work to determine if Hicks and Bryant are connected to additional thefts in the area. Both are suspected of being involved in other retail thefts across Southwest Florida.
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