“Strange grunting noises” led to the arrest of a pair of suspected shoplifters at Home Depot in Lady Lake.
A officer had been called to the store Friday afternoon to investigate a shoplifting complaint when 50-year-old Richard Devon Grant of Ocklawaha was found “leaning over holding onto the store shelving with one hand, rocking back and forth, and making strange grunting noises,” according to an arrest report from the Lady Lake Police Department. The officer asked Grant if he was OK, and Grant responded that he was “tired and had a long week.” Grant was found to be in possession of a Milwaukee brand flood light tucked in his shorts. The light was valued at $69.97. A pack of cigarettes was found in his sock. Two grams of methamphetamine were discovered concealed in the cigarette pack.
Officers also found 43-year-old James Ellis Lovett of Ocklawaha smoking a cigarette in the parking lot of a vehicle which had no license plate. He had been caught on the store’s surveillance, opening product packaging with a pocket knife. A search of the vehicle turned up a flashlight and knife, both taken from the store. The items were valued at $95.94. A check revealed he was wanted on a Marion County warrant. He was also in possession of methamphetamine and a plastic tube with a white substance.
Both men were taken into custody on charges of retail theft and possession of methamphetamine. They were booked at the Lake County Jail.