High Springs man arrested for stealing $500 in steaks from Hitchcock’s

Staff report

ALACHUA, Fla. – Howard Carl McLees, 62, of High Springs, was arrested yesterday for allegedly taking bone-in rib steaks worth $504.17 from the Hitchcock’s in Alachua.

McLees allegedly entered the Hitchcock’s yesterday afternoon, selected a motorized cart, and filled it with the steaks before exiting the store without paying. When McLees was confronted, he reportedly became aggressive with Hitchcock’s staff and had to be restrained.

McLees has five prior theft convictions, making the charge a felony. McLees has 17 felony convictions (one violent) and 10 misdemeanor convictions (one violent). He has served three state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2020 after serving a 15.5-year sentence out of Columbia County for trafficking in stolen property. Judge Thomas Jaworski set bail at $2,000.

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. 

  • $2000 FOR THIS LOSER. Its obvious that after 27 arrests, 3 prison sentences Howie can’t be around normal people. But Tommy Boy gives a light bail so he can be out for Christmas. He will be back at it shortly.

  • Anyone thinking-considering the time of the year-he did this on purpose just to have someplace to be?

  • “If you don’t eat your meat, you can’t have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat your meat!”

    Too bad Howard won’t be able to have his pudding after all.
    Bah Humbug!

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