Deputies say a man rode a new bicycle out of an East Naples Wal-Mart without paying for it and then bit and kicked two store security officers who confronted him Tuesday night.Errol Jeremiah Smith, 24, who arrest reports say is homeless, was arrested and charged with grand theft and battery.
Deputies responded to a report of a theft at Wal-Mart, 3451 U.S. 41 E., around 7:45 p.m., reports said.
Store security officers Maria Venegas and Scott Rickard told deputies that they watched Smith enter the personal care and electronics department, select several items and place them inside a shopping bag, reports said.
Smith then went to the sporting goods department and selected a blue bicycle, which he rode out of the store. He didn’t pay for the bike or the merchandise in the shopping bag, reports said.
Venegas and Rickard confronted Smith outside the store, where he resisted their efforts to escort him back to the loss prevention office, reports said.
Smith kicked Venegas and bit Rickard as they placed him in handcuffs until deputies arrived. While they were restraining Smith, a white bag with pills inside fell out of his left pocket, reports said.
Further investigation by deputies found the bag contained 14 whole Xanax pills and around 20 Xanax pills broken into pieces and four methadone pills. The pills had a combined weight of 8 grams, reports said.
Deputies also charged Smith with possession of a controlled substance, reports said.
