An employee of Tire Choice in The Villages arrested earlier this year after attempting to steal tires will have a chance to escape prosecution in the case.
Lawrence Leland Wise III, 21, of Belleview, had been arrested June 12 at the Tire Choice location on the Historic Side of The Villages after four new tires were found in the bed of his truck at closing time, according to an arrest report from the Lady Lake Police Department. Wise claimed he found the tires by the dumpster and thought they were trash. The tires still had the stickers on the tread, the report noted. He went on to say his friends had stolen tires and he thought he “could get away with it, too.” He was arrested on a felony charge of theft.
Last month, the prosecutor’s office agreed to defer prosecution in the case for 18 months, allowing Wise to enter into a pre-trial diversion contract. It calls for him to submit to random alcohol and drug screenings, to perform 50 hours of community service and not to return to Tire Choice. If he completes the terms of the contract, the case will not be prosecuted.
