A St. Augustine man is facing felony charges for allegedly stealing $10,000 in cash, a Rolex watch and several valuable coins from a safe while the owner and his wife slept nearby, court records state.
According to the probable cause affidavit, deputies responded to a burglary call on the morning of Dec. 15, 2024.
The victim reported that his safe, located inside a locked closet in his bedroom, had been opened sometime during the night while he and his wife were asleep.
“The victim stated as he got up, he noticed his safe, which is located in his closet only accessible in his bedroom, was open,” according to court papers.
Missing from the safe were approximately $10,000 in U.S. currency, two Buffalo gold coins valued at about $13,000, and a Rolex watch estimated at $15,000.
Surveillance footage from the property showed a white male jumping the property’s fence around 2:23 A.M.
The individual — identified as Shane Gibby — walked around the property and attempted to open the passenger door of the victim’s vehicle, leaving behind a greasy handprint.
Officers collected DNA from the print and submitted it to DNA Labs International for analysis.
On May 19, 2025, results confirmed a match to Gibby through the DNA database. A buccal swab later verified the match.
In the weeks following the break-in, detectives obtained search warrants for Gibby’s phone and DNA.
A forensic download of his cell phone uncovered photos of Gibby wearing the stolen Rolex and a Buffalo gold coin encased in a custom gold bezel.
One image even showed the coin worn around his neck like a pendant. Additionally, internet searches on Gibby’s phone from Dec. 26, 2024, included a website selling bezels for Buffalo gold coins — just 11 days after the burglary.
Further analysis of phone records revealed Gibby had taken an Uber ride to St. Augustine at 2:29 A.M. on Dec. 15, just minutes after the surveillance footage placed him at the victim’s home.
He took another Uber from the property shortly after 3:50 A.M. The timeline closely aligned with the burglary.
Investigators also noted that Gibby made multiple phone calls that night to a former employee of the moving company that had previously moved the victim’s belongings into his residence.
When questioned by investigators on June 23, 2025, Gibby was unable to provide a clear explanation for the DNA match, the photos of stolen items or his calls to the moving company employee.
He reportedly expressed concern about how high his bond might be if arrested.
Based on the overwhelming digital and physical evidence, Gibby is now facing charges of burglary of an occupied dwelling and grand theft between $20,000 and $100,000, both felony offenses under Florida law.
Authorities believe he used inside knowledge from the move, along with coordination from at least one associate, to plan and execute the burglary.
Authorities are urging anyone with further information about Gibby’s activities or possible accomplices to contact the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
