A 20-year-old Ocala man on felony probation who was arrested for allegedly stealing a pistol from a gun shop was identified by a witness who allegedly saw the crime happen, followed the man, and captured a photo that aided police.
According to the arrest report, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office corporal arrived at GPS Guns and Ammo (8685 SE 58th Avenue in Ocala) on Tuesday, January 14, in reference to the theft of a firearm.
A store clerk informed MCSO that a male suspect – later identified as Ocala resident Nathaniel Sebastian Vargas – had grabbed a 9mm black Taurus G2X pistol while inside the store. Vargas then “bolted out the door.”
The report stated that a witness saw Vargas running out of the store and began to follow him from a distance. The witness then took a photo of Vargas and relayed his location to the gun shop’s owner.
The corporal noted in the report that the gun shop’s video surveillance footage showed the suspect, Vargas, entering the store at 1:29 p.m. He was wearing a camouflage hoodie with the hood up, and he was carrying a red backpack.
Four minutes later, Vargas allegedly grabbed the pistol and ran out of the store while carrying it in his hand. The store owner advised that the firearm was valued at $299.99.
Multiple MCSO units arrived on scene to assist with locating Vargas, and he was spotted in an open field to the east of the incident location. He was quickly detained in handcuffs, according to the report.
After being read his Miranda rights, Vargas refused to speak with law enforcement. An MCSO deputy conducted a search of the area where Vargas was located, and a camouflage hoodie and red backpack were allegedly found.
The report stated that Vargas was not wearing shoes when law enforcement made contact with him. However, a black shoe was found near the open field, and another shoe was spotted approximately 10 yards away. Inside that second shoe, the stolen firearm was located, and its serial number matched the one provided by the store.
In the report, the corporal mentioned that Vargas was observed wearing shoes in the surveillance footage, as well as in the picture that was taken by the witness.
A criminal history search of Vargas revealed that he was on felony probation for grand theft auto.
Vargas was placed under arrest and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond. He is being charged with grand theft of a firearm and violation of probation.
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.