A 29-year-old Ocala man with several prior theft convictions was arrested for allegedly stealing over $650 in merchandise from a local Walmart over a two-day period.
On Friday, November 24, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a theft that had occurred that afternoon at the Walmart located at 9570 SW Highway 200 in Ocala.
One of the store’s loss prevention associates stated that a male suspect, later identified as Thamester James Robinson, Jr., had taken a “Spider-Man bundle Playstation 5” ($499 value) and two video games ($40 value/each), and he proceeded to exit the store with the unpaid items, according to the arrest report.
An MCSO deputy watched the store’s video surveillance footage from the time of the theft, which corroborated the associate’s statement. The report described the suspect in the footage as a 6-foot tall, 200-pound man with black dreadlocks, a black beard, and a “distinct cross-like tattoo” on the back of his right arm.
The following day, on November 25, two deputies responded to the same Walmart in reference to a second theft incident involving the same suspect. According to the report, the loss prevention association observed the suspect grab $71 worth of merchandise – a Roku device, earbuds, and several food items – before walking to the self-checkout area and placing the items in a plastic bag.
The lost prevention associate “immediately recognized” Robinson as the suspect from the theft that had occurred the previous day. The associate made contact with Robinson near the exit of the store and managed to retrieve the unpaid merchandise, according to the report.
According to the associate, Robinson then walked out of the store, entered a blue vehicle, and left the parking lot.
Later in the day on November 25, a deputy spotted Robinson at the 7-11 located at 9445 SW 49th Avenue Road. The report stated that Robinson was wearing the same clothing that was observed on the Walmart location’s video surveillance footage, and a cross-like tattoo was visible on the back of his right arm.
Robinson was detained and held for an interview. After being read his Miranda rights, Robinson confirmed that he was inside the Walmart store at the time of the theft on November 25, and he admitted that he “gave the items back” to the loss prevention associate.
During the post-Miranda interview, Robinson further admitted to committing the theft on the previous day at the same store.
The report stated that the two stolen video games were found during a search of Robinson’s vehicle. He informed law enforcement that the stolen Playstation 5 was “in his closet,” and the gaming console was later recovered by deputies.
A criminal history search of Robinson revealed that he has three previous convictions in Marion County, all in 2015, for petit theft.
A pat-down search of Robinson was conducted, and a small amount of a green leafy substance was found in one of his pockets. This substance later field-tested positive for marijuana.
Robinson was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $4,5000 bond. He is being charged with second-degree petit theft (third or subsequent offense) and possession of marijuana (not more than 20 grams).
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, December 27, according to jail records.