The Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 26-year-old former 7-Eleven employee after a manager accused him of stealing over $480 from the convenience store.
On Thursday, May 18, an MCSO deputy responded to the 7-Eleven located at 8230 SE Maricamp Road in Ocala in reference to a theft incident. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with a female manager who advised that a former employee, Zachary Michael Beeber, had taken a total of $486.98 from the cash register prior to quitting his job, according to the arrest report.
The manager told the deputy that Beeber had placed the money into his pocket instead of depositing it into the cash register safe. According to the manager’s statement in the report, she confronted Beeber via text messages and told him that she would contact law enforcement if the money was not returned.
The MCSO report stated that Beeber sent text messages to the manager stating, “I don’t have it anymore,” referring to the missing funds. He told the manager, “I don’t know what to say or do,” and he added that he preferred that the “cops not get involved.”
Beeber also messaged the manager that he had hoped that she “wouldn’t find out so soon.” He added that he had hoped to have “time to make it right.”
The deputy noted in the report that the manager had video surveillance footage that showed Beeber taking the money from the cash register and pretending to insert it in the safe.
On Monday, the deputy responded to Beeber’s home address and made contact with him. After being read his Miranda rights, Beeber confirmed his cellphone number and advised that he was the only one who had access to his cellphone, according to the MCSO report.
Beeber advised that he was aware of the theft incident, and he admitted to exchanging text messages with the manager.
A criminal history search of Beeber revealed that he has two prior theft convictions out of New Hampshire in 2014 and 2019.
Beeber was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $2,000 bond. He is facing a felony charge for second-degree petit theft (third or subsequent offense).
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.