A 48-year-old man was arrested at an Ocala Walmart two weeks after he allegedly stole a bicycle and rode it out of the store.
On Tuesday, July 30, two Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the Walmart located at 9570 SW Highway 200 in Ocala in reference to a theft incident.
Upon arrival, the deputies made contact with an asset protection associate who advised that a man, identified as Christopher Wayne Wyche, had stolen a bicycle from the store on Monday, July 15. The arrest report stated that Wyche was standing near the customer service desk when deputies arrived at the store.
On the date of the alleged theft, the loss prevention associate advised that Wyche had been observed on camera taking a bicycle off the rack and riding it out of the exit in the garden center. The associate further stated that Wyche passed all the registers without making an attempt to pay for the bike.
One of the deputies noted in the report that a still image from the store’s surveillance footage showed Wyche riding the bicycle at the time of the theft incident. The deputy further observed that the price tag was still visible on the bike.
The deputies made contact with Wyche at the customer service desk, and he was detained in handcuffs. After being read his Miranda rights, Wyche allegedly told the deputies that he “stole the bike for a friend.”
The stolen bicycle was valued at $98, according to the report.
Wyche was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held. He is facing a retail theft charge.
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.