A 58-year-old man who has been convicted of five previous thefts in Marion County was arrested last week after he allegedly attempted to steal merchandise from a Walmart in Ocala.
On Friday, February 3, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the Walmart located at 34 Bahia Avenue in Ocala in reference to a retail theft incident. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with an asset protection employee who advised that a man, later identified as Rodrick Vince Snow, had stolen merchandise from the store, according to the MCSO report.
The employee advised that one of the store’s door greeters had observed Snow as he attempted to leave the store with items that were not bagged. When the greeter requested to see a receipt, Snow turned around with the shopping cart and began walking through the store, according to the MCSO report.
The employee told the deputy that he attempted to locate Snow inside the store, and Snow was eventually spotted near the exit in the automotive department. According to the employee, he made contact with Snow, and Snow proceeded to raise his fist as he walked toward the employee.
After the employee informed Snow that he would be contacting law enforcement, Snow pushed the shopping cart back into the store and ran into the parking lot. Snow was then observed entering the back of a black Mitsubishi SUV and driving away from the store, according to the employee.
In the MCSO report, the deputy noted that the shopping cart contained just over $163 worth of merchandise, including a hoodie, TV remote, pants, and several body care items. Some of the items were in old Walmart bags while other items were not bagged, and a review of the store’s security cameras revealed that Snow bypassed the cash registers without attempting to pay for the merchandise.
The deputy also noted in the report that a computer search of the SUV’s tag revealed that it was registered to an address on Pine Radial. An MCSO lieutenant responded to that address and observed the vehicle in the driveway.
The lieutenant observed a man matching Snow’s description who entered the SUV and drove away. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle at the intersection of Cypress Road and Emerald Road. Snow was located inside the vehicle and he was detained by law enforcement.
Snow’s spouse told MCSO investigators that she had picked up Snow from work and took him to Walmart because they needed a new remote for the television. She stated that she waited in the vehicle while Snow shopped, though he exited the store without any merchandise.
Investigators made contact with Snow. After being read his Miranda rights, Snow claimed that he never went to Walmart. He stated that he was picked up by his spouse and was driven straight home without making any stops.
Snow was arrested, and a glass pipe containing a white powdery residue was located in one of his pockets during a pat-down search. When asked what the pipe was used for, Snow stated, “marijuana, cocaine, everything,” according to the MCSO report.
Snow was transported to Marion County Jail, and he was later released on $2,500 bond. He is facing a felony charge for second degree petit theft (third or subsequent offense) and a misdemeanor charge for possession of drug paraphernalia.
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.