A 43-year-old Belleview man accused of stealing numerous items from a local Dollar General store is facing an additional criminal mischief charge after he allegedly kicked the caged divider inside a deputy’s patrol vehicle, causing over $1,000 worth of damage.
On Friday, September 20, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the Dollar General located at 9980 E Highway 25 in Belleview in reference to a retail theft incident that had occurred the previous day, according to the arrest report.
The store’s manager told the deputy that on Thursday, September 19, a man had exited the store with two bags full of unpaid items. The deputy noted in the report that the store’s video surveillance footage showed the male suspect entering the store at around 5:05 p.m. on Thursday.
The suspect was wearing a white tank top, blue jean shorts, and black sandals, and he was pushing an empty Dollar General shopping cart. He was then observed walking down different aisles as he placed numerous items into the cart, according to the report.
At around 5:18 p.m., the deputy noted in the report that the suspect was observed exiting the store while carrying two plastic shopping bags filled with unpaid items. The manager advised that the suspect had taken two multi-meals ($6 value/each) and a gallon of milk ($4.16 value), along with other items that were “yet to be determined.”
The report stated that one of the store’s cashiers was able to identify the suspect as Joseph Anthony Carlucci.
The deputy responded to a neighborhood in Belleview, where Carlucci was observed outside of his residence. In the report, the deputy mentioned that Carlucci was wearing “the exact outfit he wore on the video footage.”
According to the report, the deputy showed Carlucci the video footage of the theft incident at Dollar General, and Carlucci responded by saying that he “did not want to talk to (the deputy).” He was placed under arrest and transported to Marion County Jail.
While enroute to the jail, Carlucci allegedly began “violently kicking” the caged divider of the deputy’s patrol vehicle. This caused a total of $1,068.61 worth of damage to the rear center headrest, according to the report.
Carlucci was booked into Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held on a $4,000 bond. He is being charged with retail theft and criminal mischief with $1,000 or more in property damage.
On Tuesday, October 22, Carlucci is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m., according to jail records.