An Ocala man suspected of breaking into vehicles at two local gas stations is facing additional charges after cocaine and marijuana were found inside his SUV during a traffic stop.
On Sunday, June 7, Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the Wawa located at 5200 S Pine Avenue in Ocala after the first vehicle burglary was reported, according to an MCSO arrest report.
MCSO stated that a Wawa employee reported that someone had unlawfully entered their vehicle, which was parked behind the business.
Surveillance footage from the Wawa reportedly showed a Kia SUV park next to the employee’s vehicle shortly after 7:15 p.m. The driver, later identified as 34-year-old Antoine O’Steen Johnson, Jr., was allegedly seen walking around the parking lot for several minutes before entering the victim’s car and walking back to his SUV.
Authorities noted that Johnson was concealing stolen items in his hand, which included a gold wallet, a Social Security card, and several debit or credit cards.
Less than 24 hours later, deputies responded to the Circle K located at 6820 SE Maricamp Road in Ocala in reference to a second vehicle burglary incident. A victim reported that someone had broken into their vehicle and stolen three bottles of cologne.
According to MCSO, surveillance footage reportedly captured Johnson parking the same SUV next to the second victim’s car. He then reportedly walked around the victim’s vehicle before entering it through the front passenger door and rifling through the interior.
Investigators used the SUV’s license plate to identify Johnson as the suspected burglar in both cases, and several warrants were issued for his arrest.
On Thursday, June 11, at around 11:30 p.m., an MCSO deputy initiated a traffic stop on Johnson’s SUV as it traveled along E Highway 25 in Belleview. Johnson was reportedly the sole occupant of the vehicle, and he was taken into custody.
During an interior search of Johnson’s SUV, deputies reportedly found the following items: a small clear baggie containing a white powdery substance that field-tested positive for cocaine, a black straw hidden in a compartment under the steering wheel, and a second baggie containing a green leafy substance that field-tested positive for marijuana.
After being read his Miranda rights, Johnson reportedly admitted that the marijuana belonged to him. However, he claimed the cocaine was not his and stated that he was “holding it for someone,” according to MCSO.
Johnson was placed under arrest, booked into Marion County Jail, and released on bond the following day. He is being charged with unarmed burglary of an unoccupied conveyance (two counts), second-degree petit theft (two counts), possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A court date for Johnson has not yet been scheduled, according to jail records.