An Ocala man was taken into custody on a felony grand theft charge after allegedly stealing more than $1,200 worth of tools from a local screen repair shop after being fired.
In late April, Steven Lance Kennedy, 45, was fired from A+ Screens LLC. According to the police report, Kennedy was told to return his work truck and trailer to the business right away after being fired.
Rather than returning the equipment fully equipped, Kennedy allegedly took the corporate truck to his apartment, unloaded various tools, and then had a coworker return it.
Company officials instantly determined the tools were missing because they had receipts from a company credit card that had allegedly been in Kennedy’s hands.
When an Ocala Police Department officer called Kennedy, he allegedly grew upset, saying, “I can’t believe they called the cops.”
While speaking with the officer, Kennedy allegedly acknowledged taking various tools from his former job, claiming that he thought he could keep the tools he bought with the corporate card because he had worked there for over six years.
An OPD officer and a spokesperson agreed to meet Kennedy at his residence to collect the stolen things. According to the complaint, the officer and representative arrived to find many DeWalt batteries, chargers, drills, and other items placed outside Kennedy’s front door.
Police reported that the retrieved items were worth $1,209.18.
On Thursday, May 28, Kennedy was arrested, booked into Marion County Jail, and released the next day after posting bond. He is accused of grand theft (more than $750 but less than $5,000).
According to jail records, Kennedy’s court date has yet to be arranged.
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