Micanopy man on pre-trial release status arrested for stealing wallet from residence while occupants slept

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Mark Rochelle Bolen, 46, was arrested early this morning and charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling, unlawful possession of a debit card, and resisting arrest after allegedly stealing a wallet and car keys from a residence while the occupants slept.

A Gainesville Police Department officer responded to the residence, where the victim said he was awakened at about 12:08 a.m. this morning and saw an unknown person inside his residence. He said the person left the house through the side door, and he noticed that his wallet and car keys were missing. He said all of the other occupants were home at the time.

While the officer was investigating the incident, the victim received a notification that someone had attempted to use his debit card at the nearby Gate Food Post at 506 NW 13th Street. The officer went to the store and asked a clerk whether a debit card had recently been denied, and she pointed to a man who was later identified as Bolen. Bolen allegedly fled, dropped a Florida driver’s license and debit card, then picked them up. He was reportedly arrested after he was found hiding behind a pile of construction fencing.

A debit card and driver’s license belonging to the victim were reportedly found near Bolen’s hiding place. The officer reviewed surveillance video footage from the store and reported that Bolen had attempted to purchase $80 of gas, 2 cases of cigarettes for $199.80, and 3 packs of cigarettes for $29.97.

Bolen has 20 felony convictions (two violent) and eight misdemeanor convictions (none violent). He has served five state prison sentences, with his most recent release in January 2018. He is on pre-trial release status for two felonies after posting bail in Marion County and is also facing a sworn complaint for robbery in Alachua County. Judge Walter Green set bail at $30,000.

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.