Man charged with retail theft in ferret caper

July 22, 2007
The Ocala Star-Banner

A 34-year-old man who reportedly confessed that he stole a ferret from a pet store so he could sell it to a friend and pay his utility bill, now faces a retail theft charge, according to a police report.

Pet Safari's store manager, Susan McCluthey, told officers she observed a man, later identified as Jason Scott Rajo, walking around the store at 1817 E. State Road 40 when the animal, valued at $139, popped its head out of Rajo's pocket.

McCluthey said she asked him to hand over the animal but the man ran away, with a customer giving chase. Police caught up with the man and retrieved the ferret.

Rajo was taken to the Marion County Jail where he was held in lieu of $2,000 bail.