A Marion County man was arrested on burglary and theft charges after he allegedly broke into his neighbor’s sheds and stole nearly $1,000 worth of items.

On Friday, October 11, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office corporal responded to a residence located on SE 160th Court in Ocklawaha in reference to a burglary incident. A male victim told the corporal that two sheds on his property had been broken into, and numerous items were missing, according to the arrest report.

The corporal noted in the report that the missing items included a foot massager, tent, hedge clippers, miscellaneous clothing items, shoes, a space heater, a set of plates, and a saw. The total value of the stolen items was determined to be approximately $970, and the victim stated that the break-in likely occurred during the past few months.

While conducting a search outside the victim’s home, the corporal observed that one of the sheds located on the property had a hole on top of the roof, and the second shed’s door appeared to have been “ripped off.”

The report stated that there was a visible path from the sheds to a gate for a neighboring property that belonged to 38-year-old Jonathan Edward Castle. The corporal then responded to Castle’s residence and made contact with him.

After being read his Miranda rights, Castle allegedly admitted to entering the victim’s sheds in June because he was “looking for food.” He claimed this was “the only time he did that,” according to the report.

During the post-Miranda interview, Castle told the corporal that he had a campsite in the woods located behind his residence that was “destroyed” by the recent hurricane. The corporal mentioned in the report that a trail was located, which led from the victim’s sheds to a campsite that included Castle’s tent.

The corporal searched the campsite and located numerous items including a foot massager, clothing, and shoes. The victim was shown these items and confirmed that they belonged to him. The report stated that Castle allegedly told law enforcement that he “took the items” approximately three weeks earlier.

Castle was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held on a $3,000 bond. He is being charged with unarmed burglary of a dwelling, structure, or conveyance, and first-degree petit theft over $100 but less than $750.

A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 12, according to jail records.