Mark Brents

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. Brents’ 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, 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 with the Clearwater Police, successfully took Brents into custody.

Brents is facing multiple charges, including: organized scheme to defraud less than $20,000, retail theft $3,000 or more, and 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.

This is an ongoing investigation.