A 45-year-old Marion County man was arrested on burglary and theft charges after he was allegedly caught stealing an air conditioner unit, leaf blower, and pressure washer from a local residence.
On Monday, April 20, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office corporal responded to a home located on NE 167th Avenue in Silver Springs in reference to a burglary incident. Several witnesses had allegedly observed a male suspect, later identified as Thomas Owen Sharp, loading stolen items onto the bed of a pickup truck, according to the arrest report.
The witnesses confronted Sharp and put him on a FaceTime call with the owner of the property where the alleged theft occurred. The owner/victim instructed Sharp to “put the items back” and “get off the property.”
According to the witnesses, Sharp “quickly threw the items back inside the residence” before leaving the area.
An investigation ensued, which led to the corporal locating Sharp’s pickup truck outside a residence on NE 170th Court in Silver Springs. The corporal attempted to detain Sharp at the home, but he reportedly “pulled away” from the corporal and attempted to run out the front door.
Another deputy assisting with the investigation grabbed Sharp near the roadway, escorted him to the ground, and detained him in handcuffs, according to the report.
After being advised of his Miranda rights, Sharp denied stealing anything from the victim’s home. He allegedly claimed that he “had permission” from the victim to “borrow” several items, including an A/C unit, leaf blower, and pressure washer.
The victim reportedly informed investigators that Sharp did not have permission to take any items from the residence.
Sharp was placed under arrest and booked into Marion County Jail, where he remains in custody. His bond has been set at $6,000, and he is being charged with grand theft (over $750 but less than $5,000), unarmed burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, and resisting a law enforcement officer without violence.
On Tuesday, May 26, Sharp is scheduled to appear in a Marion County courtroom at 9 a.m., according to jail records.