A 35-year-old Citra man was arrested by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office after he was accused of breaking into the community services building of a local church and stealing food.
On Saturday, April 8, an MCSO deputy responded to Seventh-Day Adventist Church located at 17200 N U.S. Highway 301 in Citra in reference to a burglary that was in progress. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the reportee who advised that a man, later identified as Kevin Demon Wilkerson, was possibly inside the building without permission, according to the arrest report.
The reportee informed the deputy that he saw clothing on the floor when he entered the building, and he heard someone in one of the back rooms. He advised that he quickly exited the building and contacted law enforcement.
The MCSO report stated that Wilkerson had previously been accused of breaking into the same building on “numerous occasions,” but law enforcement was unable to locate him during those prior incidents.
While the deputy was speaking with the reportee, Wilkerson walked out of the building’s front door, and he was carrying a large cardboard box. The deputy ordered Wilkerson to place the box on the ground, and he was quickly detained in handcuffs, according to the MCSO report.
In the report, the deputy noted that the cardboard box contained approximately $100 worth of food items.
The deputy made contact with one of the church’s managers who advised that the building was locked and secured prior to the incident. The manager advised that during a separate incident, Wilkerson “broke out a side window,” which he allegedly used to enter the building.
After speaking with the manager, the deputy inspected the building and noted that Wilkerson had likely gained entry through the same broken window.
Wilkerson refused to discuss the incident after being read his Miranda rights. He was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $37,000 bond.
Wilkerson is facing felony charges for first-degree petit theft (over $100 but less than $300), unarmed burglary of an occupied structure, and unarmed burglary of an unoccupied structure (four counts). Additionally, he is facing two misdemeanor charges for second-degree petit theft.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 16, according to jail records.