OKEECHOBEE — The Marathon Gas Station on South Parrott Avenue was robbed early March 17. At approximately 5:15 a.m. Okeechobee City Police Officer Trenton Moutschka was dispatched to the location in reference to a criminal mischief complaint. The owner notified dispatch someone threw a rock at the windows of his store and broke them.

Moutschka  met with the owner and observed broken glass all over the ground in front of the entrance. According to the arrest report, the stack of newspapers that would normally be found outside the store was on the counter near the register, and a piece of metal was laying on the floor near a cabinet that was hanging by its hinges.

Using surveillance video from the Palmdale Oil Company next door, Moutschka was able to locate a video of a tall, slender man wearing a red shirt, white pants and carrying a book bag. The man was described as having long blue hair. The report notes the man is seen with an object in his hand which he rears back and throws at the window. The man then entered the store and later exited carrying a bottle in his hand.

A Marathon Gas customer called the owner to tell him he saw a man who matched the description walking near the 800 block of U.S. 441 North.

Eric Madera, 33, was located and arrested. He was charged with burglary of an unoccupied structure and criminal mischief. His bond was set at $7,500.