Man accused of burglary at United Way in Lee County

A man was arrested on Wednesday after he was accused of burglary at United Way on Concourse Drive in the Harlem Heights community of Lee County.

According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office's arrest report, Jonathan Mendez Ochart, 29, was arrested after deputies received surveillance video that they said showed a man, later identified as Ochart, arriving at United Way at 2:18 a.m. and accused of leaving with a white box of unknown items at 2:58 a.m.

When deputies arrived at the scene at 6:18 a.m., the rear door was open, glass was shattered, and a broken plant pot with soil was nearby. In addition, they said they found footprints in the hallway and open desk drawers.

The report notes that a representative with United Way told the sheriff's office that the drawers were not left open the day before and a steel tank had been moved from the conference room. An opened Sprite can was found on the water fountain and a juice box was left opened on a table. The representative said the damages totaled around $1,500.

The video reportedly provided to deputies showed a man wearing a dark, long-sleeve shirt and dark patterned shorts, with a black mask over his face. According to the sheriff's office, the man was accused of grabbing a potted plant and smashing it against the door before kicking the door, which then unlocked.

The man was last seen walking south on Concourse Drive with a white box that another person with United Way that identified it as an "LG speaker box" with an older stereo and speakers, deputies reported.

Ochart was later identified as a person of interest. A woman in the neighborhood told deputies the stereo was left in front of her home near United Way while deputies said they also found the stereo box soaking wet at the corner of Concourse Drive and Duera Mae Drive.

When deputies found the box, they said a medical tag fell from the box with Ochart's name and date of birth. The sheriff's office received a call nearby where Ochart needed medical attention, but he was reportedly wearing the same outfit as in the video, according to the report.

While conducting the investigation, someone with United Way said two Dell Inspiron laptops had been removed, which totaled about $500 each. Ochart was asked about the laptops and stereo, but what he said was redacted from the report.

Ochart is facing charges of burglary to an unoccupied structure with more than $1,000 of damage, criminal mischief - damage over $1,000, and grand theft over $750.