Leesburg pair suspected of stealing power tools from Home Depot

A pair from Leesburg were arrested on theft charges after allegedly stealing two power tools from Home Depot.

Melissa Gordon, 43, and Marshall Leshaun Pittman, 44, entered Home Depot, located at 871 N. U.S. Hwy. 27/441, around 11:40 a.m. Monday, according to an arrest report from the Lady Lake Police Department. An asset protection specialist observed the pair coming into the store pushing a cart with a black suitcase inside of it. 

The specialist witnessed Gordon select a Dewalt 18GA Stapler, valued at $139, and place it in the cart on top of the suitcase. While the specialist was moving to get a better view of the subjects, the nail gun was concealed with a black jacket. The specialist walked past the cart and saw a corner of the nail gun protruding from the black jacket inside the cart. The specialist also saw Gordon select a Makita Jig Saw, valued at $159, and place it into the bottom of the cart, the report said. 

The subjects then approached the service desk near the front of the store. They stood there for a few seconds before passing all points of sale and heading toward the exit. They left the store through the main entrance while Pittman pushed the cart, depriving Home Depot of their merchandise, the report said. 

Officers on scene witnessed Gordon and Pittman leaving the store at 11:57 a.m. The pair was arrested and taken to Lake County Jail without incident. The specialist provided a sworn statement with intent to prosecute on behalf of the store and an itemized receipt of the stolen merchandise, the report said. 

Additionally, a check of Gordon’s criminal history showed grand theft convictions in May 2012 and Feb. 2016, a petit theft conviction in Jan. 2020, and petit theft conviction merch farm transit two plus prior conv conviction in Jan. 2020, Sept. 2021, Feb. 2022 and Jan. 2023, the report said. 

Gordon was ultimately charged with petit theft (third or subsequent offense) with bond set at $2,500 for the New Jersey native. Pittman was charged with petit theft (over $100 less than $300) with bond set at $1,000 for the Mississippi native. 

Gordon has been arrested multiple times in the past. She was a repeat offender in a shoplifting incident at a Leesburg Winn-Dixie, was arrested after allegedly snatching a tip jar from a business in Leesburg, was arrested for stealing lottery tickets from Kangaroo and was in jail on Christmas after a string of theft convictions.