A suspected shoplifter was nabbed with cocaine and fentanyl at Home Depot in Lady Lake.
Stephen Edward Mattingly, 35, already a suspect in a previous theft, entered the store at about 4 p.m. Saturday, took a water hose nozzle out of a package and placed it in his pocket, according to an arrest report from the Lady Lake Police Department. He went through the self-checkout aisle and paid for other merchandise, but not the water hose accessory. He walked to a gray Kia SUV in the parking lot where he was detained by police. He was found to be in possession of cocaine, fentanyl and drug paraphernalia. He admitted stealing a Ryobi battery from the store on Oct. 18.
He was arrested on a theft charge enhanced to a felony due to previous theft arrests. He was also arrested on drug charges. He was booked at the Lake County Jail and released after posting $10,000 bond.