Two residents from Ocala were arrested after they allegedly stole over $260 worth of groceries from a local Winn-Dixie.
On Wednesday, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the Winn-Dixie located at 7131 N U.S. Highway 441 in Ocala in reference to a retail petit theft incident. Upon arrival, a loss prevention associate showed the deputy footage from the store’s surveillance cameras.
According to the MCSO report, the deputy observed a woman, later identified as 49-year-old Evelyn Angelina Youmans, enter the store. She was wearing a gray shirt and black pants, and she used one of the store’s motorized shopping carts.
A man, later identified as 69-year-old Lester Ervin Hart, was also observed entering the store. He wore a tan t-shirt and cap, dark pants, and he was carrying a large backpack.
The deputy watched the footage as Youmans placed a purse inside her cart. Hart was also seen placing the backpack inside a separate shopping cart.
Both Youmans and Hart were observed filling their respective carts with groceries. Each time that they entered a new area of the store, the surveillance cameras would show that their carts were empty.
The deputy noted in the MCSO report that the purse and backpack were “standing more upright” as Youmans and Hart moved throughout the store, which led the deputy to believe that items had been placed inside.
Youmans and Hart both exited the store without paying for any items. The deputy observed that Youmans’ purse and Hart’s backpack appeared to be filled to capacity. They both left the area in separate vehicles.
The loss prevention associate provided the deputy with a license plate number which belonged to a vehicle that was owned by Hart.
The deputy responded to Hart’s residence on NW 3rd Street. Upon arrival, both Hart and Youmans were located at the residence, and they were wearing the same outfits that were observed on the store’s surveillance footage.
Youmans and Hart both denied taking any items from the store. Youmans claimed that she had put each item back before she left the store, and Hart claimed that his backpack was filled with dirty clothing.
According to the store, the following items had been stolen: two packs of chicken (approximately $23.80/each), two packs of pork chops (approximately $22.12/each), two packs of 16-20 count shrimp (approximately $19.99/each), four garlic seafood combos (approximately $26.99/each), and other miscellaneous items. The total estimated loss for the store was $268.28.
The MCSO report indicated that Youmans had several prior theft convictions in Marion County in 2014 and 2016. A criminal history search of Hart revealed that he did not have any prior convictions.
Youmans and Hart were both arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where they were later released on bond. Youmans is facing a felony charge for petit theft from a merchant (third or subsequent offense), and Hart is facing a misdemeanor charge for shoplifting (first offense).
A court date has not been scheduled yet for Youmans or Hart, according to jail records.