A 35-year-old man was arrested by Ocala police after he allegedly stole more than $200 worth of meat from a local Publix and sold it for methamphetamine.

On Monday, September 9, at around 4:30 p.m., an Ocala Police Department officer responded to the Publix located at 2572 SW 42nd Street in reference to a theft incident.

Employees told the officer that a man, later identified as Kejuan Levard Scott, had “loaded up a cart full of meats” before exiting the store with the unpaid items through an emergency exit, according to the arrest report. Once in the parking lot, Scott was seen entering a red vehicle, and he then drove eastbound on SW 42nd Street.

The total value of the stolen meat was $219.92, according to OPD.

The officer was shown video surveillance footage of the incident in question. The report stated that the officer recognized the theft suspect, Scott, and knew that he resided at the Berkeley Pointe apartment complex.

After responding to Berkeley Pointe, the officer spotted Scott sitting on a stairwell and noted that he was “wearing the same clothes that he was wearing during the theft that was committed at Publix.”

The officer made contact with Scott and detained him in handcuffs. After being read his Miranda rights, Scott allegedly admitted to stealing the meat from Publix to “feed his family” and “support his drug use,” according to the report.

During the post-Miranda interview, Scott allegedly further stated that he sold the meat at the apartment complex in exchange for drugs. In the report, the officer mentioned that Scott refused to provide any further details regarding the individual(s) that he allegedly sold the stolen meat to.

A pat-down search of Scott was conducted, and the officer found a “clear plastic bag containing a white rocky substance” in Scott’s right pocket, according to the report. This substance field-tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine.

Scott was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held on a $7,000 bond. He is being charged with retail petit theft, dealing in stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Tuesday, October 15, Scott is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m., according to jail records.