A 31-year-old Belleview man was arrested after locking a disabled man inside a residence and stealing his vehicle.

On Monday, an assistant from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on SE 122nd Place in Ocklawaha with reference to a suspicious incident.

The MP spoke with a male victim through the window of the main door of his residence. According to the MCSO report, there was a large padlock on the outside of the door that prevented it from opening.

The victim said the door was the only accessible entrance to his home. He told the MP that Jacob Anthony Pond had locked him inside and stole his vehicle.

According to the victim, Pond had been helping him pack his things last week since he sold his house.

As Pond loaded items into the victim’s vehicle, the victim heard the front door close and lock immediately afterward. The victim then watched Pond drive away in his vehicle.

The deputy observed through the window that the victim was in a wheelchair.

Marion County firefighters arrived at the scene and removed the lock from the door. After a search of the residence, the MCSO report said the deputy had identified an alternate address as a possible location to find Pond.

The deputy attended this location, which was on SE 126th Lane in Belleview, and Pond was found with the victim’s vehicle.

In an interview, Pond admitted to locking the victim inside the house and stealing his vehicle. He told the deputy, “I was scared and needed to get out of there.

When asked why he was afraid of a man in a wheelchair, Pond replied, “I don’t know. He denied any altercation with the victim and said, “I just got scared and left.”

Pond was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $ 15,000 bond. He faces felony charges of vehicle theft, forcible confinement of an adult and crimes against a disabled adult.

A court date has been set for 9 a.m. on January 22, 2022, according to prison records.