Suspect arrested after burglarizing rental vehicle parked at Walmart

An Orlando man who was detained for allegedly burglarizing a rental vehicle outside of Walmart was charged for drug possession after being searched in jail.

A deputy responded to a burglary to an unoccupied conveyance at Walmart, located at 550 U.S. Hwy. 27 in Clermont, around 9 a.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. 

While on the way, the victim advised that they were unloading luggage from their rental vehicle when a man matching the description of 31-year-old Antoine Latraviu Atkins went into the vehicle and tried to steal a suitcase and umbrella. He fled the area on foot, but the victim followed behind and relayed his direction of travel, the report said. 

The deputy arrived at the scene and stopped Atkins at the back of the store. He initially refused to respond or identify himself, leading the deputy to explain that he matched the description of a burglary suspect and was not free to leave. He then provided his social security number, the report said. 

Records were used to confirm Atkins’ identity, during which he appeared nervous, kept looking away and fidgeted with a lighter. He was asked to keep his hands out of his pockets, to which he complied and turned around as requested. The deputy then advised him that he was to be placed in handcuffs and temporarily detained, the report said. 

Atkins placed both hands behind his back, but once the deputy secured his right hand in cuffs, he pulled away his left arm and tensed up his body. The deputy responded by pinning Atkins to the hood of his patrol car. Another deputy arrived on scene and helped secure Atkins, who was subsequently searched and placed in the patrol car, the report said. 

The deputy then took Atkins to the Lake County Jail. While correctional officers thoroughly searched him, they found a small plastic bag inside his pants. The bag contained a small amount of green leafy substance, which later tested positive for marijuana, and a rolling paper, the report said. 

Atkins was ultimately charged with resisting without violence, possession of marijuana (less than 20 grams) and introduction of contraband to correctional facility. Bond was set at $4,000.