GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Jacob Cecil Stager, 18, was arrested early on October 10 for allegedly stealing a 72-year-old woman’s phone and using it to transfer money to his own account.
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office responded on October 8 to a report from Hidden Oaks Mobile Home Park, where the victim noticed suspicious activity on her Zelle account. The elderly woman explained that Stager, a friend of her son, had visited their home on October 5. During the visit, she left her phone unattended and later discovered it missing.
The victim received alerts for four attempted Zelle transfers totaling $3,400, all to Stager. While three were denied, one transfer of $500 was successful on October 9.
Stager was detained and interviewed shortly after midnight on October 10. He admitted to being at the home but denied taking the phone. He also acknowledged the $500 deposit to his account but refused to allow searches of his phone or room.
He faces felony charges including theft from a person over 65, identity theft, and using a communication device to facilitate a felony. With no prior criminal record, Stager’s bail was set at $20,000 by Judge Jonathan Ramsey.
