An Orlando man was arrested following a massive stealing spree from Disney Springs.
In the man’s possession were multiple cell phones, driver’s licenses, and other sensitive personal records, as well as a set of metal lock picking tools, according to an Orange County Sheriff’s arrest report.
Marcus Casida, 43, has been charged with being in possession of burglary tools and petit theft after having two prior convictions, which are both third-degree felonies, Orange Circuit Court records showed. Casida has a long criminal history and is homeless.
Casida was caught on February 17 after a loss prevention officer noticed Casida taking clothing from the Uniqlo store, putting the items in a Uniqlo mesh shopping bag, riding an elevator in the store, and then hiding the clothes in his backpack, said the sheriff’s report which took Orange County Sheriff’s Office several months to release.
Casida left the store without paying for the clothes, which were valued at $323 and included tan pants, green socks, blue boxers, black design tee shirt, black tee shirt, black boxers, white design tee shirt, blue tee shirt, black shorts, gray sweatpants, and green tank top.
Authorities searched Casida’s backpack and found more suspicious items.
Inside Casida’s black wallet were four Florida driver’s licenses belonging to other people, a credit card belonging to a fifth person, and Social Security paperwork for a sixth person.
Casida had four cell phones, too, and a set of metal lock picking tools.
A Nextbase dash camera, GoPro camera, and Mulligan Rangefinder used for golfing were also found inside Casida’s backpack, the arrest report said.
But that wasn’t the end of it.
“Marcus was carrying a Disney ‘Coco’ guitar still in the box and a Disney Book, which were determined to be stolen from the World of Disney Store,” the arrest report said. “Disney declined to prosecute, and their stuff was returned to them.”
Even part of the outfit Casida was wearing was stolen, officials said.
Casida wore a black leather Harley-Davidson hat which authorities realized was taken from the Harley-Davidson store and found surveillance video of Casida stealing it, the arrest report said.
A detective collected the driver’s licenses and personal documents while other items, like the cameras, were stored as evidence.
Casida was trespassed from Walt Disney World property and taken to jail.
He does not have an attorney listed in court records.
According to the Florida Coalition to End Homelessness, the state has the third highest rate of people without housing in the U.S.A., behind New York and California. If you or a loved one are facing homelessness, the Coalition has a collection of resources here.
Affordable housing in the Central Florida area is an established issue. Walt Disney World plans to open an affordable and attainable housing development in 2026. Newly-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Administrator Glen Gilzean also cited affordable housing as a priority when the board hires an independent urban planner.
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