Two men were arrested after stealing merchandise from several Ocala businesses.
On Thursday, December 2, an Ocala Police Department officer responded to Dick’s Sporting Goods located at 4414 SW College Road in Ocala in reference to a theft.
A female witness had seen two men fill a 2003 Toyota Camry with stolen merchandise from Kohl’s located at 4031 SW 43rd Street Road. The two men left the area and went to Dick’s Sporting Goods, and the witness followed them.
The witness took photographs of the men, the vehicle, and the stolen merchandise.
When the officer arrived, a Dick’s Sporting Goods employee stated that two men had exited the store with a shopping cart full of unpaid merchandise. The men went to the vehicle and began unloading the merchandise which, according to another store employee, included Nike sweatpants and toddler clothing.
An off-duty employee attempted to stop the men but ceased when one of them pulled out pepper spray.
The estimated value of the stolen items was nearly $1,800.
The officer viewed video surveillance from Kohl’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods, and the same two men were spotted in both stores as they loaded shopping carts with various items.
According to the OPD report, the officer immediately recognized one of the men as 29-year-old Jacksonville resident Jeramie Raheem Johnson. He was recognized due to a recent retail grand theft case at another local business.
A warrant was issued, and Johnson was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail on Wednesday, December 22. He is currently being held on $50,000 bond and is facing felony charges for retail grand theft, petit theft, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
A court date has been scheduled for Johnson on Tuesday, January 25 at 9 a.m., according to Marion County Jail records.
The second man involved in the theft was identified as 35-year-old Sarasota resident Christopher Stephen Rambeau. He was arrested on Thursday, December 16 by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
Rambeau was transported to Sarasota County Jail and later released on $5,000 bond. He is facing a petit theft charge and a court date has been scheduled on Wednesday, January 5, according to Sarasota County Jail records.