A Weirsdale man caught stealing from Target in Ocala had numerous types of narcotics in his possession when he was arrested Tuesday.
John Dean Dugan, 27, of 14914 SE 175th Place, told an Ocala Police officer he had relapsed on heroin and was stealing from the store, located at 2000 SW College Road, to support his drug habit. He was charged with grand theft retail of between $300 and $5,000, possession of an anti-shoplifting device, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of possession of methamphetamine, two counts of possession of acetaminophen/oxycodone/hydrochloride, two counts of possession of acetaminophen/oxycodone/bitartrate, and a single count of possession of heroin.
A security employee told the officer he recognized Dugan from other Target thefts in Lady Lake and watched him on surveillance from the time he walked into the store. The employee said Dugan grabbed an hand basket and a shopping cart and made his way around the store, selecting the following items: a Bose TV sound system valued at $179, reusable straws valued ($3.99), an Arlo Pro 2 camera ($249), and two Ring Video Doorbell Pros ($199 each). The total value of the stolen items was $832.96, according to the sheriff’s office report.
The employee said after Dugan selected the items, he walked around the corner to another aisle and pulled a large group of magnets from his pocket. He used the magnets to remove the “spider wrap” off the electronics items. The employee said Dugan then placed the Bose sound system into the top of his cart and the other items in the basket, under the art. He then proceeded through the store, passed all points of sale, and walked out of the store before being stopped by the employee, the report said.
Dugan told the officer he takes stolen merchandise to an unknown person in Belleview and exchanges them for drugs. During the interview, he continued to reach inside his pockets, even after being told several times not to. After approximately the second time, the officer searched Dugan and found a small brown bag what contained a small baggie of methamphetamine, a small glass container containing methamphetamine, a small baggie of heroin, 6½ tablets of acetaminophen/oxycodone/hydrochloride, two tablets of acetaminophen/oxycodone/bitartrate, and a red straw-like item commonly used to ingest methamphetamine, according to the report.
Dugan was taken to the Marion County Jail, where he’s being held on $19,000 bond. He’s scheduled to appear in Marion County Court on March 24.