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Ocala
Friday, March 29, 2024

Ocala man allegedly steals appliances from newly constructed home

A 44-year-old Ocala man was arrested after allegedly stealing appliances from a newly constructed home.

On October 28, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a NW 16th Street residence in Ocala in reference to a residential burglary.

The deputy met a male victim who advised that he discovered his newly constructed home had been entered and several appliances were taken out between October 27 around 8 a.m. and October 28 around 5:30 a.m.

The victim stated that a refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, and oven were stolen.

A week prior on October 21, the victim had also reported the theft of an air condenser and air handler. As a result, the victim had placed GPS trackers on his appliances.

The trackers inside those appliances were pinging at a SW 3rd Street residence in Ocala.

An MCSO sergeant and detective responded to the southwest Ocala residence and a female answered the door. She stated that she was a bus driver and had just gotten home.

She let the sergeant and detective inside, and the stolen appliances were located and identified by the serial numbers provided by the victim.

When asked if anyone else had access to her home, she identified her boyfriend, Ed Rushing III. She stated that she had been living with Rushing at the residence for around two or three weeks.

Ocala man allegedly steals appliances from newly constructed home 1
Ed Rushing III

The detective spoke with Rushing, and he stated that an unknown person had arrived at his residence with the appliances.

According to Rushing, he assumed the appliances were stolen and did not want them. He stated that the unknown person left and he didn’t see the person again.

He admitted to the detective that he looked at the appliances for a little bit but did not take them.

The detective asked how the appliances ended up inside his home, including the dishwasher being slid into the cabinet slot for the appliance, and he claimed the unknown person must have done it.

When asked why this unknown person had his address, and how this person would have gotten inside the residence since the doors were locked, Rushing responded to both questions by saying that he did not know.

Rushing was arrested on November 18 and transported to Marion County Jail. He was released on bond and is facing several felony charges including dealing in stolen property.

A court date has been schedued on December 21 at 9 a.m., according to jail records.