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In Newberry, Florida, a 23-year-old man named Kobe Deon Delima found himself in legal trouble after a series of events led to his arrest. It all began when deputies, responding to a shoplifting incident, noticed what appeared to be a firearm tucked into Delima’s pants.
The incident unfolded around 11:29 a.m. on March 13, when an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived at the Family Dollar located on West Newberry Road. An employee reported that a man, known for prior thefts at the store, had just left with unpaid merchandise. Crucially, she mentioned that the individual sported an “OG” tattoo on his neck, a distinctive identifier.
Acting on this information, the deputy spotted a man matching the description walking along NW 5th Avenue. Another deputy informed him that Delima, a convicted felon with a history of carrying firearms, was often seen in this area. As the patrol car drove by, the deputy’s attention was caught by the “OG” tattoo on the man’s neck, confirming his identity as Delima from previous encounters.
As Delima locked eyes with the deputy, he reportedly started approaching the patrol vehicle. The deputy noticed a conspicuous bulge in the front of Delima’s pants, with Delima’s hand resting inside his waistband. When questioned about what he was concealing, Delima allegedly turned and began to walk away, prompting further action from law enforcement.
The deputy reported that there was a large bulge in the front of Delima’s pants, and he had one hand inside his waistband. The deputy asked Delima what he had in his pants, and Delima allegedly began walking away.
The deputy pursued Delima on foot as he ran through a retention pond toward the Oak Park neighborhood; when Delima was apprehended, the bulge was no longer there.
A search incident to arrest reportedly produced several pairs of socks, including a white ankle sock, some loose change, and a small baggie containing marijuana.
After Delima was secured in a patrol vehicle, the deputy noticed a white ankle sock near where Delima was apprehended, and the sock appeared to be brand-new. While searching the area, a deputy looked over a fence into the back yard of a home and saw more socks and a handgun in the yard. After obtaining the consent of the property owner, the items were collected. The firearm reportedly had nine hollow-point rounds in the magazine.
The stolen merchandise was reportedly valued at $19.35.
Post Miranda, Delima reportedly did not want to say anything.
Delima has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, tampering with evidence, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, resisting an officer without violence, and petit theft. He has three felony convictions (one violent) and three misdemeanor convictions (one violent), and Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $154,000.
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.