Career offender arrested for shoplifting oxtails

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Michael Randall Smith, 38, was arrested yesterday after allegedly stealing oxtails, pork blade steaks, and bratwurst sausage from the Newberry Square Publix. He was also charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon after a shotgun shell was reportedly found in his backpack.

An Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a call about shoplifting at Publix at about 1 p.m. yesterday; a store employee reportedly stopped Smith at the exit, but Smith allegedly pushed the employee away and ran. However, he dropped a backpack, and the employee reportedly found a pack of bratwurst sausage ($6.69), a pack of pork blade steaks ($10.96), and two packs of oxtails ($39.18).

A witness saw Smith running from the store and maintained contact with him until the deputy arrived.

Post Miranda, Smith reportedly admitted taking the items from the store. A search of a backpack he had at the time of the arrest reportedly produced a shotgun shell.

Smith has juvenile convictions, along with eight adult felony convictions (three violent) and 18 misdemeanor convictions (four violent). He has served four state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2019, and he is a designated Career Offender.

In March, Smith was charged with stealing 32 items from Walmart for the purpose of selling them to other people; he was found guilty and fined $276, but he has failed to make payments on the agreed schedule.

In April, Smith was charged with stealing over $100 in merchandise from Walmart; he was issued a Notice to Appear, and that case is pending. In May, Smith was arrested for threatening someone with a knife, but the charges were dropped on July 12, and Smith was released from jail.

Judge Walter Green set bail at $45,000.

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.