BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2025) — A West Boca Raton man is facing a stack of felony charges after Palm Beach County deputies arrested him this week in connection with multiple retail theft investigations tied to Target stores in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, and Lake Worth.
According to jail records and three separate probable cause affidavits, deputies arrested Vagner Gomes Pereira, 34, late Sunday night and booked him into the Palm Beach County Main Detention Center. Records show Pereira was taken into custody around 10:19 p.m. on Dec. 29 following the execution of multiple outstanding warrants.
One of the cases stems from a June 21, 2024 theft reported at the Target store at 21637 S. State Road 7 in unincorporated Boca Raton. In that case, a loss prevention officer told deputies that a man later identified as Pereira selected high-value merchandise — including a Breville espresso machine and Dyson air purifiers and removed anti-theft devices before attempting to leave the store without paying.
When stopped, the suspect claimed he had already paid and continued walking out with the merchandise, according to the affidavit. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators showed him loading the items into a gold Jeep Grand Cherokee and driving away. The total reported loss in that case was $1,329.97.
Detectives later matched the suspect to similar thefts using the same vehicle and damage pattern, and a photo lineup was presented to the Target loss prevention officer, who identified Pereira as the suspect. A felony warrant was issued for grand theft between $750 and $5,000.
A second case dates back to May 25, 2024, at the Target store located at 10201 Hagen Ranch Road in Boynton Beach. Investigators say Pereira returned to the store multiple times within a short window, selecting items such as Shark vacuums, Braun razors, Keurig coffee makers, and other electronics before exiting without payment. The total reported loss in that incident exceeded $2,900.
Deputies later located pawn records showing the stolen merchandise was sold to a Boca Raton pawn shop the same day. Investigators say Pereira provided identification and signed pawn documents stating the items were his, leading to additional felony charges for dealing in stolen property and false verification of ownership.
A third affidavit details a similar retail theft reported April 30, 2024, at the Target store on State Road 7 in Lake Worth. In that case, deputies say Pereira selected multiple electronics and home appliances, exited without paying, and later pawned the items in Boca Raton. The reported loss in that incident was $977.95.
Court records show that felony informations were filed in all three cases in recent months, followed by warrants for Pereira’s arrest. In at least one case, court documents show a capias was issued after Pereira failed to appear.
At the time of his arrest Sunday night, Pereira was booked on charges including grand theft, dealing in stolen property, false verification of ownership, and, in a separate booking, robbery with a firearm and additional theft counts. Jail records list multiple felony counts across several case numbers, with bond amounts ranging from no bond to $5,000 per charge.
As of Monday, Pereira remained held at the Main Detention Center awaiting first appearance hearings scheduled for Tuesday morning. Court records indicate the cases are assigned to circuit court judges and remain pending.
Source: Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavits and court records
