Arraignment Date Set For Sebring Man Accused Of Stealing From Pawn Shop

A Feb. 2 arraignment date has been set for a Sebring man accused of stealing almost $125,000 from an area pawn shop.

John Anthony Hernandez, 29, of 1209 South Canal Blvd., Sebring, was arrested Sunday on warrants charging grand theft of $100,000 or more, five counts of third-degree vehicular grand theft and one count each of dealing in stolen property, obtaining property of $50,000 or more and uttering a false instrument.

He was released from jail Sunday on a $41,000 bond and is set to appear before Judge Peter Estrada in the Highlands County Courthouse at 9 a.m., Feb. 2.

According to court records, warrants were issued for Hernandez on Oct. 22, 2008. A representative for Capital Pawn told authorities the company had begun noticing a difference in profits for the Sebring location starting in July 2007.

The representative notified Hernandez, the local store manager, that he would be coming to town to do a store inventory, according to the arrest report. Hernandez reportedly called in sick the date of the inventory, yet it continued.

Upon completion of the inventory, the representative allegedly found that the store was missing approximately $124,458.50 worth of inventory and cash.

Further investigation discovered that pawn slips were being "fraudulently produced," the report stated. The legitimate pawns either had missing property or unaccounted-for funds.

In all of the fraudulent transactions and missing property or funds, Hernandez was allegedly the one who processed the transactions.

The representative also found that $2,900 in cash was missing from the in-store safe, which Hernandez was the only one to have access. That money is included in the aforementioned total amount.

Several vehicles were also found missing and all but one - a 1978 Cadillac - were later recovered at the suspect's home, the report stated.

The Cadillac was found to be for sale on eBay, with Hernandez listed as the seller.

Hernandez reportedly never came back to work after hearing about the audit. The representative contacted the suspect about the missing money and property. His explanation was, "I have an addiction," to a lavish lifestyle, the report stated.

Attempts were made to locate Hernandez, but family members told authorities he had fled the state and his whereabouts were unknown.

A nationwide pickup was enacted and the suspect was apprehended in Bradley County, Tenn., on Dec. 27, 2008, according to arrest reports.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com