An Ocala man with 12 prior theft convictions who is accused of stealing a trash can and pulling a devastating water prank was jailed Thursday afternoon.
Jonathan Babij, 37, is accused of taking a $20 trash can in March 2019 and then two months later, breaking a neighbor’s window and shoving a water hose through it. The damage from the water to the home, furniture, antiques, walls and flooring was close to $70,000, a Marion County sheriff’s office report states.
Babij was arrested on outstanding warrants for petit theft (third or subsequent offense), burglary of a dwelling or structure causing more than $1,000 in damage and criminal mischief of $1,000 or more. He was released from the Marion County Jail early Friday morning on $14,000 bond and his next court date hasn’t yet been set, jail records show.