A shoplifting suspect was arrested for theft after trying to outrun law enforcement with more than $800 in merchandise from Home Depot.
Officers responded to Home Depot, located at 871 U.S. Hwy. 27/441, regarding a theft in progress around 4 p.m. May 15, according to an arrest report from the Lady Lake Police Department. The loss prevention officer advised that a man, later identified as 28-year-old Carlos Javier Zamora of Gainesville, had selected a black tote box and was concealing wires inside the tote.
Upon the officers’ arrival, dispatch told them Zamora was coming out of the front exit wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and blue jeans. As they waited outside for him, the caller advised that he took off running to the store’s garden section. A deputy with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and an officer ran inside the store to apprehend him, the report said.
The deputy yelled at Zamora to stop, but he did not comply and kept running for a short time. He then stopped and laid down on the floor. He was ultimately secured, searched and put in the back of a patrol vehicle, the report said.
Zamora was read his rights and agreed to speak with law enforcement. He stated he had a lot going on in his mind and had forgotten to pay for the items, the report said.
During the investigation, it was determined Zamora was a suspect in a theft from Gainesville where he was able to steal the same items he stole during this incident. He was also involved in a failed attempted theft at an Ocala Home Depot on the same day of this incident. On this day, he was able to steal $800.98 worth of items, the report said.
Zamora later advised that he had to do it because his daughters needed money, the report said.
The native of Cuba was charged with grand theft (more than $750 less than $5,000) and resisting without violence. He was transported to Lake County Jail with bond set at $6,000.