A man allegedly with stolen merchandise in a backpack was arrested after knocking an employee to the ground at a Bealls store in The Villages.
Joshua Raleigh Padgett, 24, of Ocala, at about 11:30 a.m. Friday entered the store at 3659 Wedgewood Lane and put Adidas brand sandals, Adidas brand sneakers and Reel Legends fishing merchandise into a backpack, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
He attempted to leave the store with the merchandise, but was stopped outside by the store’s loss prevention officer. Padgett tried to run at the same time the store employee grabbed the backpack. During a struggle, they both fell to the ground. The loss prevention officer was able to take control of Padgett and take him back inside.
The merchandise had a total value of $155.
Padgett was arrested on charges of petit theft and resisting recovery of merchandise.
He was booked at the Sumter County Detention Center on $2,000 bond.
