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Friday, March 29, 2024

Homeless Ocala man attempts to steal vehicle in Walgreens parking lot

A 24-year-old homeless Ocala man was arrested after attempting to steal a vehicle in a Walgreens parking lot.

On Saturday, December 11, an Ocala Police Department officer responded to the Walgreens located at 474 SW 17th Street in Ocala in reference to the attempted theft of a vehicle.

The male victim stated that he entered the store to purchase some items and he left his two minor daughters in back seat. The vehicle was left running and the doors were locked.

While in the store, he received a call from his daughters who were frantic. They told him that a man was trying to break into the vehicle.

The victim ran outside and chased after the man who was later identified as Lakota Walter Veltman.

Homeless Ocala man attempts to steal car in Walgreens parking lot
Lakota Walter Veltman

Veltman ran eastbound and then north towards Fortune Food Mart on South Pine Avenue. He pulled out a knife and allegedly told the victim that he was going to kill him.

The victim turned around, returned to his vehicle, and contacted law enforcement.

OPD officers located Veltman in the area and his clothing matched the description that was provided by the victim. The victim and his oldest daughter were able to positively identify him.

Veltman was brought to the OPD station for an interview and officers found a makeshift knife on him during a pat down search.

Veltman told an OPD officer that he was walking near the Walgreens and spotted a vehicle that he thought belonged to one of his friends. He stated that he tried to open the driver’s side door and walked away when he discovered it was locked.

He initially claimed that the victim approached him, accused him of trying to steal the vehicle, and attempted to start a fight. At that point, Veltman stated that he pulled out a knife and ran away.

During the interview, Veltman eventually admitted that he was attempting to steal the vehicle to get out of Florida, but he did not realize that children were inside. He reiterated that he tried to get away when he was approached by the victim and he pulled out the knife to get the victim to “leave him alone.”

Veltman was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $4,000 bond. He is facing felony charges for aggravated assault and attempted vehicle theft.

A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on January 11, 2022, according to jail records.