A Leesburg man was arrested for theft after allegedly using a mobile cart to carry a stolen air mattress and jewelry out from Walmart.
An officer responded to Walmart, located at 2501 Citrus Blvd., around 3:37 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. His response regarded 35-year-old Hykeem Dabreon Johnson in a mobile cart taking unpaid merchandise from the business out to his vehicle and returning inside. Dispatch also advised that Johnson was in the jewelry department taking more items.
Upon arrival, the officer met with the store’s loss prevention officer who allowed him into his office to view the active interior surveillance footage. He then observed Johnson riding a mobile cart in front of the registers. Johnson’s description was taken, and several officers contacted and detained him in front of the registers, the report said.
Johnson was escorted to the loss prevention office to confirm the theft did in fact occur. The officer reviewed the footage and observed him selecting one Ozark Trail Tritech twin Airbed worth $44.97 from the sporting goods aisle and placing it at his feet between his legs on the mobile cart. He then left with the unpaid merchandise passing all points of sale, the report said.
The officer asked Johnson where the item was so the business could have their property back, and he stated he placed the air mattress underneath his aunt’s blue Chevy Equinox that parked in row 13. As an officer retrieved the item, the loss prevention officer asked if law enforcement knew where the jewelry Johnson took was. Johnson stated they were concealed in the black bag he wore, the report said.
A search of the bag revealed an ID holder keychain worth $4.88 and a Body Jewelry nose piercing jewelry worth $12.00. Minutes later, an officer returned with the air mattress and told the other officer it was where Johnson said, the report said.
A check of Johnson’s criminal history revealed at least two prior theft convictions, one from Sept. 2022 and the other July 2013, the report said.
Johnson was ultimately arrested on charge of retail theft (felony – two or more prior theft). He was transported to Lake County Jail with bond set at $2,500.
He as also arrested in November when he was caught with methamphetamine during a traffic stop near Amscot.