On February 3, Joseph Walters, 49, of Fruitland Park, was arrested for shoplifting at Walmart in Leesburg after attempting to conceal stolen items in his pants. Walters entered the store and headed to the sports goods department, where he selected two Halo Optics XL450 laser rangefinders valued at $98 and a $4.96 can of butane fuel.
Store personnel noticed Walters acting suspiciously, pacing back and forth and “messing with his pants.” After he left the store, he was confronted by a police officer who discovered the stolen items hidden in his clothing. Walters claimed he had forgotten he had placed them there.
A criminal history check revealed Walters had previous theft convictions in 2018 and 2024. As a result, he was arrested on a third-degree felony charge of theft. Walters was booked at the Lake County Jail with a $2,500 bond.
