A 31-year-old assistant manager at Family Dollar was arrested this week for stealing over $700 from a store in Marion County.
On Tuesday, at around 6:50 p.m., a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the Family Dollar located at 3457 NE Jacksonville Road in Ocala in reference to a grand theft incident.
Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with a manager who advised that an assistant manager, identified as Ronnie Joshua Blay, had been working back-and-forth between the Ocala store and another store located at 9450 NE Jacksonville Road in Anthony. The manager advised that Blay had worked at the Anthony store for approximately two weeks in September because the company wanted to see if he was “manager material,” according to the arrest report.
On September 29, the manager stated that Blay collected three cash deposits while at the Anthony store, and his duty as assistant manager was to deposit the cash at the bank. According to the manager, Blay only deposited two of the three cash deposits, and he kept the third one which was valued at $770.
The report stated that the company conducted an investigation into the missing deposit, and a loss prevention officer responded to the Ocala store on Tuesday, October 24 to speak with Blay. In a written statement, Blay admitted to keeping the cash from the deposit.
In the written statement, Blay said, “I originally hadn’t realized the deposit didn’t get dropped at the bank and almost a week later I found it and I stupidly decided to not take it.” Blay further stated that he kept the cash because “rent was due” and his electricity was going to be “shut off.”
The MCSO deputy responded to the 1900 block of SW 31st Avenue in Ocala and made contact with Blay. After being read his Miranda rights, Blay advised that he did not deposit the $770 from the Anthony store, and he added that he “found it in his vehicle at a later time,” according to the report.
During the post-Miranda interview, Blay stated that his personal utilities were due, and he needed the money from the deposit to pay for them. He told the deputy that the store made an arrangement with him so that he could repay the funds from his paychecks.
Blay was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $5,000 bond. He is facing a felony charge for grand theft over $750 but less than $5,000.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 28, according to jail records.