A man caught with an “enormous amount” of clothing stolen from Bealls was arrested after a traffic stop on U.S. 301.
Christopher Michael Lanford, 29, of Ocala, had been a passenger in a car pulled over at 10:22 p.m. Thursday on U.S. 301 at County Road 204, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. A K-9 unit was called to the scene and the dog alerted on the vehicle, indicating the likely presence of drugs.
A search of the car turned up an “enormous amount of clothing items with pricetags still attached,” the deputy wrote in the arrest report.
Lanford admitted he had taken the clothing from Bealls and he alone was responsible for them being in the vehicle. A Bealls loss prevention officer responded to the scene and verified the clothing had been taken from Bealls stores. The total value of the clothing was nearly $1,500.
Lanford was also in possession of plastic bags with the residue of methamphetamine.
He was taken into custody and booked at the Sumter County Detention Center. He was released after posting $3,000 bond.
