A 56-year-old Lady Lake man was arrested Saturday night at Wal-Mart after he allegedly stole two jar candles, two lanyard-style keyrings and two 20-ounce Coca-Colas from Wal-Mart in Leesburg.
Robert Weston Mercier of 37302 Hobby Way allegedly left the store with the items and did not pay for them, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department.
The arresting officer determined that Mercier had previously been convicted on a shoplifting charge.
In addition, after transporting Mercier in his squad car, the officer discovered two packages of woven boxer shorts in his car. The officer determined that Mercier had also taken those items from Wal-Mart and attempted to conceal them in the squad car.
Mercier is facing charges of retail theft and tampering with/or fabricating evidence.
He was booked at the Lake County Jail and later released after posting $2,000 bond.
He is due for arraignment May 26 in Lake County Court.
