SANTA ROSA BEACH - A former consignment shop owner was arrested July 10, according to the Walton County Sheriff's Office.
Michael Durward Hayes, 56, of Panama City owned and operated Scavenger’s Consignment Store at 4552 U.S. Highway 98.
Hayes used a victim’s debit card number to pay the store as well as to pay the store’s electric bills and for a personal storage shed in November 2011, his arrest report stated. He charged a total of $3,730 to the card.
After Hayes closed the store, multiple complaints were filed after he did not pay clients or return items on consignment to their owners, the Sheriff's Office reported.
Hayes’ arrest was delayed until more evidence was gathered for the state attorney’s office to prepare a warrant, Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Catherine Rodriguez said.
Hayes was charged with one count of scheme to defraud, five counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, five counts of identity theft and six counts of grand theft.