A 57-year-old Ocala man was arrested after entering a closed Dollar General store and attempting to steal multiple items.
On Tuesday, a Marion County Sherriff’s office deputy responded to the Dollar General located at 2040 NE 35th Street in Ocala in reference to a burglary in progress.
MCSO had received a tip that someone was inside the store and an MCSO lieutenant was already on the scene when the deputy arrived.
The lieutenant located Daniel Sean Harding inside the store. He had a blue bag and he muttered to the lieutenant that he was in the store to “get soap and dog food.”
A search of the bag revealed a three-pack of deodorant and eight bags of bacon and cheese flavored dog treats.
The deputy reached the store’s manager who advised that the store was closed and not accessible to the public.
According to the MCSO report, an unsecured gate was discovered near the store and one of the side doors leading into the store was not secured. The deputy did not find any signs of forced entry.
Harding was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $5,500 bond. He is facing a felony charge for burglary along with a misdemeanor charge for petit theft.
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.