FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — A Palatka man, Thomas Dupree, 37, has been arrested after allegedly stealing coquina rocks from a Palm Coast construction site and attempting to sell them on Facebook Marketplace, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies say Dupree took the rocks — a soft, porous sedimentary stone commonly used in landscaping — from the site and posted photos of the stolen material online.
The investigation began on October 22, when deputies met with the construction site owner, who reported that the rocks had been stolen two days earlier. The victim also discovered that images from his site were used in Dupree’s online listing.
Detectives identified Dupree as the suspect, alleging he visited the construction site multiple times over several months while promoting the rocks for sale on Facebook. Surveillance footage later captured Dupree’s trailer leaving the site, confirming his involvement, according to a charging affidavit.
Dupree was arrested and charged with grand theft, dealing in stolen property, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. He was booked into the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and later released on a $7,500 bond.
Authorities also noted that Dupree has a prior arrest history, including theft and drug-related charges.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office reminded residents and business owners to secure construction materials and verify online sales listings to help prevent similar crimes.
