NEWBERRY ‒ A 53-year-old homeless man was arrested July 17 after deputies say he entered a fenced residential property in Newberry and filled a gallon jug with water without the owner’s permission.
According to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, a deputy responded to the property after the homeowner reported that surveillance cameras had captured a man entering a fully enclosed structure on the property at about 10:56 a.m.
The video reportedly showed the man turning on a water faucet and allowing water to run onto the ground. About five minutes later, the man returned carrying a gallon-sized container and filled it with water before leaving the property.
The deputy noted in the report that the man, later identified as Mark James Owens, had climbed over a fence to gain access to the property.
The homeowner told deputies he did not know Owens but had seen him at a neighboring residence. The deputy later located Owens in the front yard of the neighboring property.
After being advised of his Miranda rights, Owens reportedly admitted going onto the property to obtain water. According to the arrest report, Owens said he was getting the water because children at the neighboring property did not have access to water. He reportedly told deputies he did not believe he was stealing because “it was just water.”
Owens, who is listed as homeless in the arrest report, was charged with burglary of an unoccupied structure and petit theft within the curtilage of a dwelling.
Court records indicate Owens has an extensive criminal history in Columbia County dating to 1990. The arrest report states he was released from prison in October 2025 after serving an 18-month sentence following convictions for burglary and grand theft.
Judge Phillip Pena set Owens’ bond at $100,000.
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