OCALA, FL. (352 Today) – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in identifying a man accused of stealing a woman’s phone and making fraudulent purchases using her debit card at the Walmart located on South Highway 441.
The incident occurred on August 18, when a shopper reported that her iPhone, along with her debit card, EBT card, and identification cards, had been stolen while she was inside the store. According to deputies, the victim used Apple’s “Find My” application to track her phone, which was located discarded in a bucket in the store’s automotive section.
Soon after, she received a notification that her debit card was being used fraudulently—at the same Walmart location.
During their investigation, deputies obtained surveillance footage showing a man believed to be the suspect using the stolen card and exiting the store. Detective T. Newbanks later discovered that the suspect had also attempted to request a replacement EBT card using the victim’s personal information.
The Sheriff’s Office is now sharing the suspect’s image and asking the public for assistance in identifying him.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at (352) 732-9111.
Alternatively, tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Marion County by calling 352-368-STOP (7867) or visiting www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Please reference case number 25-23 when submitting a tip. If your information leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward.