CLEARWATER — Two men were arrested after Clearwater police said they used fraudulent credit card information to purchase multiple dogs from a local pet store, resulting in more than $11,000 in losses.
According to arrest affidavits, the investigation involved transactions at Sunshine Puppies Two, 2246 Gulf to Bay Blvd.
On January 31, 2026, at approximately 1:47 p.m. and 2:03 p.m., Shacquille Deante Royal, 33, of Tampa, and a female co-defendant were captured on surveillance video purchasing a Yorkie valued at $2,617.99 and a French bulldog valued at $2,650. Police said Royal manually entered Visa credit card information after requesting to use a tap feature that was unavailable.
On February 1, 2026, at approximately 1:21 p.m. and 4:10 p.m., Royal and Antuan Bernard Davis, 23, of Valrico, were recorded purchasing a Shihpoo valued at $2,100 and a French bulldog valued at $4,000. The affidavit states that Visa and Mastercard information was manually entered for the transactions.
Between February 11 and February 12, 2026, the store owner received four dispute letters regarding the credit cards used in the purchases. All transactions were determined to be fraudulent, resulting in chargebacks. The business reported a total financial loss of $11,367.99.
Investigators said the suspects were identified through facial recognition, a photo lineup, and confirmation from a Pasco County Sheriff’s Office detective who had previously had face-to-face contact with Royal.
Royal was charged with grand theft greater than $10,000 but less than $20,000 and scheme to defraud less than $20,000. Davis was charged with grand theft between $5,000 and $10,000.
Both men were arrested on February 23, 2026, at 5:45 p.m., according to booking records.
Pasco County — Royal was arrested in Pasco County on February 10, 2026. In that case, at approximately 4 p.m. on January 10, 2026, Royal entered Velocity Golf Carts located at 5804 Boyette Road, Wesley Chapel. While inside the store, Royal and the co-defendant used the victim’s credit card and another card to purchase a golf cart and battery bundle valued at $16,536.40 without the victim’s permission.
The witness stated that Royal provided him with a card number for the transaction. A co-defendant drove the golf cart to the 7-Eleven located at 30052 Overpass Road, Wesley Chapel, where it was picked up by an unidentified suspect, depriving the owner of the golf cart.
The charges made on the credit card were determined to be fraudulent, and the charges were reversed, depriving Velocity Golf Carts of the money and the golf cart and battery.
During a post-Miranda interview, Royal identified himself from video surveillance and stated he was at the location with the co-defendant, but denied attempting to make the purchase. Royal admitted to going to the 7-Eleven and sitting with the golf cart until it was picked up by the unidentified suspect.