Dermatology Copycat Bandit Allegedly

“BOTOX® Bandit” May End Up Being Just Another Pretty Face in Prison

By Robert Carrier

Published on September 11, 2007

For as long as crimes have been committed, there have been “copycat” criminals. In the case of Florida’s “BOTOX® Bandit,” however, a particularly image-conscious copycat will serve her sentence with smooth, rejuvenated skin and fewer facial wrinkles.

In a case very similar to one that occurred in Scottsdale, Arizona last year, a woman recently went into Rejuva Medi Spa in Hillsborough County, Florida and allegedly received BOTOX® treatment worth $850. Before paying for the procedure, she convinced the employees at the spa that she needed to go out to her car and then promptly drove away without paying. Rejuva Medi Spa technician Dawn Gardner said that the suspect was “very smooth” and “knew what she was doing.” The suspect gave the spa a fake name and address and requested that her face not be scanned, but didn’t realize that the spa’s plastic surgeon takes a picture of each patient before and after a procedure.

In March 2006, a Scottsdale woman entered the CosmediSpa and received BOTOX® treatment worth $1,400 before leaving her jacket and purse – which turned out to be full of toilet paper – in the lobby in her rush to escape. She, too, gave the technicians at the spa a pseudonym (“Jamie Vons”) and bragged to the employees about having a wealthy husband, a tale that she reinforced by wearing a business suit and ostentatious jewelry. Aided by before-and-after photographs of Ms. “Vons”, local law enforcement officers later caught her outside of, appropriately, Saks Fifth Avenue.

Thankfully, the Sheriff’s department in Hillsborough County had access to similar before-and-after photos of their local BOTOX® thief and published a photo in the hopes that it would help bring her to justice, a move that paid off. On August 8th, 30-year-old Jaimie Merk of Tampa was arrested and charged with one count of grand theft, a third-degree felony in the state of Florida. She posted $2,500 bail and was released from jail early the next morning.

If convicted of a third-degree felony, Florida’s BOTOX® Bandit faces up to five years in prison. Unfortunately for her, the effects of her BOTOX® treatment will last for only the first four months or so of that sentence.

Comment on this article →

Keyword Tags: botox, odd news, injectables

Still Have a Question? Ask a Specialist in Your Area

Comments

1

This woman stole money from me too. She pretended to rent her house out to me, took my money for rent and deposit and never left the premises!! She owes me and the girl i was suppose to move in with a total $1200. DO NOT RESPOND TO A RENT ADD FOR 228 JEAN STREET IN TAMPA FL. She will take your oney! The Bandit is back atit again!!!!

Amber D
about 1 year ago

2

Amber D: Jaimie did the same thing to me. Please contact me at missamay2003 (at) yahoo.com. I'd like to hear about your situation.

Leigh
about 1 year ago

3

This girl was fired from a local social service agency (HKI) that protects children from abuse and/or neglect in 2002. She was fired for lying and falsifying documents. In essence, she said she was out working and doing the job but was not and was elsewhere. Seems like this young ladies scams continue. A tiger never changes his/her stripes.

scott
about 1 year ago

4

THIS GIRL IS ON FELONY PROBATION THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IN CLEARWATER, FLORIDA. I AM SURE HER PROBATION OFFICER WOULD BE REALLY INTERESTED IN HEARING WHAT SHE IS DOING. YOU CAN ACCESS HER PROBATION INFORMATION AND INFORMATION OF THE DOC OFFICE SHE IS BEING SUPERVISED UNDER BY GOING THROUGH THE STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS WEBSITE.

SCOTT
about 1 year ago

5

She is in custody in hillsborough county florida

Pat
about 1 year ago

6

Angela,
How could you possibly hold a mother accountable for what her 30 year old daughter has done. So you think she "learned" that behavior from her mother ??? Hope you're not a Psych major.

Mrs R
about 1 year ago

7

I can think that and I do think that. My opinions are based on my interactions and experience with this woman and her family. If you actually knew the situation and what all has happened perhaps you would think differently. Then again, maybe not but your not involved in this and I don’t expect you to understand. By the way, yes I am and it’s called the nature verse nurture theory. Psychologists have debated it for years. I think it’s said that Jaimie was a psych major.

A
about 1 year ago

8

Guess what Ms Merk is back at it, she was arrested at the beginning of August in Pinellas for writing worthless checks. Lets review her history for the past year: 1) got botox and left without paying (i.e. stealing); 2) took money (thousands) from people pretending to rent out property that wasn't her's (i.e. stealing); 3) writing worthless checks to obtain propert (i.e. stealing). I see a common theme here STEALING. Hopefully she gets more than probation this time.

GuessWho
about 1 year ago

9

Nope! Just probation! HA, HA!!!!!

none ya
9 months ago

10

hahaha she is so crazyyyyyyy

haha
6 months ago

Post your comment

Public comments are welcome. For answers to your personal questions, ask a specialist in our directory.

Name
Email (kept private)
Website
Message