Viral Picker’s Barn Theft Video Leads to Identification of Florida Couple

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. — Authorities have identified a Florida couple accused of stealing a vendor’s property from the Blairsville Picker’s Barn after surveillance video of the alleged theft was viewed more than 1.4 million times on Facebook.

According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, the theft happened Sept. 27 when a man and woman were walking through the Picker’s Barn and stopped at one of the vendor booths.

Investigators said the couple spotted a green canvas cartridge belt containing fake bullets. The woman opened her purse while the man placed the belt inside, authorities said.

The vendor had received a motion alert from his surveillance system and was watching the pair on camera. When he saw the alleged theft, he activated an alarm through the camera system.

Authorities said the man then looked directly at the surveillance camera before the couple continued out of the business with the belt.

The vendor reported the theft to the Sheriff’s Office Sept. 28, and surveillance footage began circulating on social media.

Investigators said they identified the suspects the following day after a local business contacted authorities. The business had surveillance footage of the couple, along with a driver’s license photograph of the woman and the license plate number of the vehicle they were driving.

Investigators compared the information with multiple surveillance videos and determined the couple seen in the footage were the same individuals suspected in the Picker’s Barn theft, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities identified the suspects as Joseph Taaffe, 62, and Jennifer Taaffe, 54, both of Thonotosassa, Florida.

Arrest warrants have been obtained for both suspects on charges of theft by shoplifting.

The Sheriff’s Office said the couple has no known ties to the area but is believed to have been staying around the Murphy and Hayesville areas for at least the past month.

According to authorities, the couple was last seen traveling in the Midwest and investigators believe they may have left the area after learning they had been identified.

The Sheriff’s Office said the case demonstrates the importance of reporting even seemingly minor thefts.

“This is someone’s livelihood,” the agency said, noting that smaller thefts can create larger problems for local businesses and vendors if they are not addressed.

Authorities also credited the public for helping investigators identify the suspects, saying the widespread sharing of the surveillance footage ultimately led to information from a local business that helped advance the investigation.

The Sheriff’s Office also praised the vendor for activating the surveillance alarm, saying the action may have helped prevent additional thefts from other vendors.

Joseph and Jennifer Taaffe had not been arrested as of the agency’s announcement. Both are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.