Marion County sheriff’s deputies captured a man who removed his GPS ankle monitor and fled a work release program.
Deputies on Monday responded to 5050 SW 20th St. in reference to an escaped prisoner from the Department of Corrections, according to an MCSO arrest report. While enroute, dispatch advised that 37-year-old David Michael Blum was currently in a work release program from the reentry center of Ocala. It was then discovered that Blum fled on foot from the location and unlawfully removed his GPS ankle monitor. A short time later, Blum was seen crossing Interstate 75 eastbound near the Hwy. 200 exit. Deputies located Blum behind the Home Depot located at 3300 SW 35th Terrace and placed him under arrest.
Deputies made contact with the reentry center’s director who confirmed that Blum was on work release and was listed as an escaped prisoner.
Blum was transported to Marion County Jail.