[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 06/02/20]
LADY LAKE, Florida — A Groveland man suspected in nearly two dozen retail thefts was arrested for the fourth time in less than two months early Sunday morning.
Alan J. Tracey, 72, is accused of stealing more than $6,700 worth of items from Home Depot, 871 North Highway 27-441, Lady Lake during three separate trips to the home improvement store in March, according to a probable cause affidavit. He is also accused of stealing from a local Lowe’s and a local Publix in April.
On March 15, Tracey loaded up a cart full of dimmer switches he removed from their boxes, totaling $2,587.61. An employee found the empty boxes and Tracey was captured on camera, passing all the registers and exiting through the store’s entrance.
On March 20, Tracey returned, this time stealing items off the electrical aisle and a box of solar lights. Again, caught on camera, Tracey is accused of stealing just over $2,600 worth of items on that trip.
On his third visit on March 27, Tracey is seen on camera stealing more than $1,500 worth of dimmer switches. Tracey was charged with theft offenses in each of his four arrests since April 21, according to online booking records. He is suspected in 22 similar incidents, including his arrest Sunday, a Lady Lake Police detective noted in the affidavit.
Tracey was also charged with grand theft stemming from stolen dimmer switches from Lowe’s, 1501 sandy Grove Avenue, Clermont. On April 13, Tracey is seen on surveillance video selecting nearly $1,200 worth of dimmer switches and exiting the store without paying. An employee recognized Tracey and was able to get his license plate information.
Tracey’s charges with regard to his alleged theft from Publix, 2242 State Road 19, Tavares, involve toilet paper, paper towels, animal crackers and tea concealed in a shopping bag previously taken from the front of the store.
In his most recent cases involving Home Depot and Lowe’s, he was charged with four counts of grand theft and released from the Lake County Jail on $8,000 bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
