A Leesburg man was arrested for stealing a $3 ballcap from Walmart despite just being released from jail that morning after being convicted of theft.
An officer responded to Walmart, located at 2501 Citrus Boulevard, regarding a retail theft around 4:29 p.m. Wednesday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. Upon arrival, he met with the store’s asset protection associates.
The employees advised that they observed 50-year-old Shane Lee Thomas walking through the store. While in the stationary department, he placed a ballcap on his head. He then walked to the self-checkout area where he scanned items that he placed in his cart but not what he put on his head. Because of this, he was directed to the loss prevention office, the report said.
An employee provided a sworn written statement, initialing that they intended to pursue charges. They also provided a copy of the video surveillance and a training receipt, the report said.
The officer spoke to Thomas next, and he provided his name and date of birth as identification. He stated that he was released from jail earlier that morning after being convicted of theft. A criminal history check confirmed that he had at least two prior convictions for theft, one for grand theft on June 21, 2000, and the other for larceny from a person on June 12, 2007, the report said.
The officer also watched video footage in which Thomas could be seen moving through the store. He selected a baseball cap while in an aisle, and just before leaving camera view, he was seen placing the hat on top of his head. There was also a photo shown of Thomas walking through a set of exit doors while still wearing the cap, the report said.
Walmart employees stated that the $3 ballcap was not paid for before passing all points of sale. As requested by them, Thomas was issued a trespass warning for the store, the report said.
Thomas was arrested on charge of petit theft (two or more prior convictions). He was transported to Lake County Jail with bond set at $2,500.