A 63-year-old Ocala man was arrested for allegedly burglarizing a car and attempting to enter a truck that were both parked in a neighbor’s driveway.

On Friday, November 22, Marion County Sheriff’s office deputies responded to a neighborhood located on NW 56th Terrace in Ocala in reference to a vehicle burglary incident. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a female witness who advised that she saw a man, later identified as Joseph Halleck Hoover, exiting a car that was parked in her driveway, according to the arrest report.

The witness told deputies that she then saw Hoover pull on the door handle of a truck that was also parked in the driveway. She stated that she recognized Hoover as “the man who lived next door.”

According to a statement from the witness, she confronted Hoover outside the home shortly after he allegedly exited the car. She claimed that Hoover told her that he was “freezing,” though an MCSO corporal noted in the report that Hoover lived nearby, which would “directly conflict any conclusion that (Hoover) entered the vehicle to escape the cold.”

While at the incident location, the deputies spotted Hoover in the area and made contact with him. When asked if he had entered his neighbor’s car, he allegedly responded by saying, “Not that I know of.”

The deputies also made contact with the male victim who was the registered owner of the car and truck involved in this case. The victim stated that after being informed of the alleged incident involving Hoover, the victim stepped outside and saw Hoover “standing by the back driver’s door [of the truck].” The victim added that Hoover was “leaned over” and “looking into the window,” according to the report.

The deputies were informed that the victim’s car was recently purchased, and nothing was reported stolen.

Hoover was detained and transported to the sheriff’s office for further questioning. After being read his Miranda rights, he claimed that he was “trying to chase puppies” that had “gotten out” of the fence at his home. He further stated that he “always goes up and down the street” when “trying to catch the puppies,” according to the report.

During the post-Miranda interview, Hoover denied entering either of the victim’s vehicles.

Hoover was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held on a $2,000 bond. He is being charged with unarmed burglary of an unoccupied conveyance.

On Thursday, December 26, Hoover is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m., according to jail records.