Man accused of stealing from Lee County Target, fleeing through nearby Barnes & Noble

VILLAS, Fla. —

A man was arrested Sunday after being accused of stealing from a Lee County Target and fleeing through a nearby Barnes & Noble.

According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office arrest report, deputies were called to the Target at 13711 South Tamiami Trail at around 6:12 p.m. in response to a theft.

Deputies spoke with the loss prevention officer, who told them a man had picked out a green bag before entering the store's men's section, where he took several items and hid them in the bag. He then put on a turquoise sweatshirt and fled the store after being confronted by the loss prevention officer, the report said.

The stolen items totaled $292.85 in value.

Deputies established a perimeter and discovered the man had run into the nearby Barnes & Noble store and entered through the back of the building.

Deputies converged on the scene, with assistance from K-9 units and drones.

The man was then located in the vicinity of the Bell Tower Park Community and was apprehended by K-9 units, the report said. He was then transported to the hospital for further medical evaluation.

Deputies identified the suspect as Thomas Bailey, 34, and arrested him.

Bailey faces charges of petit theft, resisting officers without violence and possession of a fake driver's license. It was also noted that Bailey has an outstanding warrant out of North Carolina.

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