A man accused of several thefts on the University of South Florida in Tampa is now behind bars.

The case sparked interest on the Space Coast because the suspect was wearing a Brevard County Fire Rescue shirt when he committed the crimes.

Police say 39-year-old James Frey was caught Dec. 2 on USF Holly Drive after more than a week on the run.

They say surveillance video from the USF library and college bookstore on Nov. 19 and 23 showed him stealing wallets.

USF Police say Frey then ran up credit cards at local convenience stores.

For Brevard Fire Rescue Chief Mark Schollmeyer, the concern has been the uniformed fire rescue shirt he was wearing.

"He did not have the uniformed shirt on when he was arrested," said Schollmeyer.

Schollmeyer wants to know why Frey had the older department issued shirt on when committing these crimes.

It turns out Frey did work as a Brevard County firefighter from 2007-2008. Those shirts should have been destroyed though.

"We don't like our brand being used, especially in criminal activity," said Schollmeyer.

The chief says he's hoping police can recover the shirt and destroy it.

Frey is charged with burglary, theft and possession of stolen credit cards.

He's being held in the Hillsborough County Jail on a more than $8,000 bond.


Surveillance images showed the USF theft suspect on a scooter wearing the Brevard County Fire Rescue shirt.