A 25-year-old man was arrested at the Belk store in The Villages after he allegedly tried to steal $200 in merchandise and then kicked a store employee who chased him into the parking lot.
Aris Antonio Chaparro of Belleview entered the store at 5 p.m. Sept. 2 and concealed a hat in his left pocket, according to an arrest report from the Lady Lake Police Department. He then went to the home department and selected wine corks and two candles and concealed them on his person, the report indicated. He then selected three shirts and a second hat and concealed them in his pants. He also selected a wallet, tore off the pricetage and put it in his pocket. He left the store and when confronted by a store employee, Chaparro took a swing at the employee but missed, the report said. Chaparro ran through the store parking lot with the store employee in pursuit. Chaparro took a second swing at the employee, missing again, and then kicked the employee.
Ultimately, the store employee was able to subdue Chaparro.
He was arrested by Lady Lake police on charges of retail theft, resisting a merchant and battery.
He was transported to the Lake County Jail where he later posted $2,500 bond and was released.
He is scheduled for arraignment Sept. 17 in Lake County Court.
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