By Staff Writer

NEWBERRY, Fla. – A 23-year-old man named Kobe Deon Delima was taken into custody yesterday following an incident in which he allegedly tried to evade authorities responding to a shoplifting complaint. During the investigation, deputies reportedly noticed what appeared to be a firearm tucked into his pants.

The series of events unfolded at around 11:29 a.m. on March 13, when an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to Family Dollar located at 24240 W. Newberry Road. An employee there reported that a man, previously caught stealing from the store, had just left with unpaid merchandise. The employee noted that the suspect had a distinctive “OG” tattoo on his neck.

While patrolling nearby, the deputy spotted a man fitting the description, walking west along NW 5th Avenue. Another officer informed him that Delima, known to law enforcement due to his prior felony convictions, often carried a firearm. As the deputy drove past, he observed the “OG” tattoo on the man’s neck, confirming his identity as Delima from previous encounters. Delima reportedly paused to watch the patrol car and began approaching the deputy as he exited his vehicle.

The deputy noticed a significant bulge at the front of Delima’s pants, with one of his hands positioned inside his waistband. When questioned about the bulge, Delima allegedly walked away, ignoring the deputy’s inquiry.

The situation escalated as the deputy pursued Delima on foot. Delima fled through a retention pond toward the Oak Park neighborhood. By the time deputies apprehended him, the suspicious bulge had disappeared.

A search incident to arrest reportedly produced several pairs of socks, including a white ankle sock, some loose change, and a small baggie containing marijuana.

After Delima was secured in a patrol vehicle, the deputy noticed a white ankle sock near where Delima was apprehended, and the sock appeared to be brand-new. While searching the area, a deputy looked over a fence into the back yard of a home and saw more socks and a handgun in the yard. After obtaining the consent of the property owner, the items were collected. The firearm reportedly had nine hollow-point rounds in the magazine.

The stolen merchandise was reportedly valued at $19.35.

Post Miranda, Delima reportedly did not want to say anything.

Delima has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, tampering with evidence, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, resisting an officer without violence, and petit theft. He has three felony convictions (one violent) and three misdemeanor convictions (one violent), and Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $154,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.