A 25-year-old Ocala man was arrested after he allegedly broke into a newly constructed home in Marion Oak and caused over $1,500 worth of damage.
On Saturday, June 14, Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a home located on Marion Oaks Course in reference to a “possible burglary.” A property manager had advised that someone appeared to be inside one of the homes that had recently been built, according to the arrest report.
One of the deputies opened the front door of the home in question, and a man was spotted inside. The report stated that the man, later identified as Michael Lee Rodriguez, Sr., was detained in handcuffs.
According to the report, a search revealed that one of the home’s windows had been shattered. In addition, the window’s screen was bent, and a “large indention” was observed on a closet door inside the residence.
MCSO determined that a large object appeared to have been thrown through the window, hitting the closet door. The property manager informed the sheriff’s office that all windows and doors to the residence had been “secured and locked” prior to the incident, according to the report.
The damage to the home was estimated at $1,600.
Rodriguez allegedly told deputies that he was “not going to cooperate,” and he requested an attorney. He was placed under arrest and booked into Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held on a $12,000 bond.
Jail records show that Rodriguez is being charged with unarmed burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and criminal mischief with over $1,000 in property damage. He is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15.