A 51-year-old Leesburg man who allegedly ran from police while being arrested for shoplifting back in September 2021 is finally behind bars.
Clarence O’Neal Green Jr., of 32436 Radio Road, was arrested Sunday night and charged with providing a false ID to law enforcement. Once he was at the Lake County Jail, charges were added for retail theft (two or more prior convictions), resisting without violence, and failure to appear.
The theft and resisting charges date back to Sept. 23, 2021, when a Leesburg police officer responded to the Family Dollar store at 937 N. 14th St., where a black male in an orange t-shirt and back pants was reportedly stealing items. The officer spoke with Green, who was angry because the store manager had accused him of stealing soap. Green gave the officer permission to search him and was found to be hiding $35.31 worth of underwear and socks in his pant legs, according to the police report.
When the officer found the items, Green said he was inside the business stealing clothing items, not bathing supplies. He was detained but not placed in handcuffs. As the officer placed the stolen items on the hood of his patrol car, Green fled on foot northbound on 14th Street. The officer searched the area but was unable to find Green, the report said.
The officer returned to the store and spoke with an employee, who said he was told by the manager that Green had previously stolen items from the business. The employee said Green walked to the gift card aisle and appeared to be stuffing items in his pants, and then adjusting his shirt over his waist to conceal the items. He said he called law enforcement when he saw Green concealing the items, according to the report.
A warrant was issued for Green’s arrest. Court records show he was convicted of retail theft in January 2013 and June 2016. Green is being held on $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Lake County Court at 8 a.m. May 17.
