A Leesburg man was arrested after giving police his brother’s name when he was caught swapping out his shoes with new ones at Walmart.
An officer responded to Walmart, located at 2501 Citrus Blvd., regarding retail theft around 5:50 p.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department.
Upon arrival, the officer met with an asset protection associate who advised that a man, later identified as 23-year-old Tayquan Shareef Pinellas, was seen on camera as he took merchandise and walked into the men’s restroom, the report said.
The officer watched the footage and saw Pinellas selecting a shoe box from the aisle. He took out the shoes and replaced them with the ones on his own feet. He then walked past all points of sale and into the restroom, the report said.
The officer made contact with Pinellas and escorted him to the security office. Once inside, he was read his rights and advised that he would answer questions. He was asked for a form of identification, but he stated he did not have one. He instead gave the name “Tayshon Pinellas” and an incorrect birth date, the report said.
The associate queried the name for prior trespass warnings and discovered Pinellas’ real name had been trespassed before. The photograph associated with him was identical the present man. Dispatch also advised that his tattoos were identical. Pinellas later revealed he gave his brother’s name as his own, the report said.
Dispatch then advised that Pinellas was previously trespassed from the store. He stated he did not know the trespass warning was still active. He also explained that he did not intend to steal the shoes that he was still wearing at the time of the investigation. He intended to pay for them but had to use the restroom before he got the chance. However, he did not have a wallet, cash or bank card with him. He was only carrying a vape and a cell phone, the report said.
A receipt valued the shoes at $49.98. They were taken from Pinellas and returned to Walmart staff, the report said.
Pinellas was charged with retail theft (less than $750), trespass after warning and false ID to law enforcement officer. He was transported to Lake County Jail with bond set at $2,000.