Florida man caught trying to stuff AK-47 in his pants during attempted gun store theft

WATCH ABOVE: A Florida man is caught on camera trying to steal an AK-47 from a gun store by sticking it in his pants. Marissa Bagg reports.

TORONTO – A Florida man is facing grand theft charges related to an unusual shoplifting attempt inside a firearms store that was caught on camera.

Fort Lauderdale native Marlon Paul Alvarez spent one-and-a-half hours Tuesday inside Public Pawn and Gun at 6798 Stirling Road in Davie, according to a police report.

“He really was more interested in being left alone, or looking for an opportunity to do what he was doing,” said employee Alan Weiner in an NBC report.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "He really was more interested in being left alone, or looking for an opportunity to do what he was doing," said employee Alan Weiner in an <a href="http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Store-Owner-Tackles-Thief-Who-Stuffed-Assault-Rifle-Down-Pants-305412961.html" target="_blank">NBC report</a>.

Surveillance video has been released that shows Alvarez eventually take a liking to an AK-47 – stuffing it down his pants and tucking it underneath a sweater. Moments later, he changed his mind and traded the AK-47 for a different assault rifle.

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That’s when he attempted to flee the store.

“By the time he left I noticed a bulge in his pants, so I followed him out,” store owner Kevin Hughes told WTVJ. “I [didn’t] want to have an altercation in the store, too many customers and employees here.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "By the time he left I noticed a bulge in his pants, so I followed him out," store owner Kevin Hughes <a href="http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Store-Owner-Tackles-Thief-Who-Stuffed-Assault-Rifle-Down-Pants-305412961.html" target="_blank">told WTVJ</a>. "I [didn't] want to have an altercation in the store, too many customers and employees here."

Hughes ended up tackling the suspect and managed to retrieve the nearly $900 rifle. Alvarez did manage to run away until he was apprehended by Davie Police a block away.

“Post Miranda the defendant confessed to trying to steal the rifle,” Officer Scott Leon said in his report.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miranda_warning" target="_blank">Post Miranda</a> the defendant confessed to trying to steal the rifle," Officer Scott Leon said in his report.

Alvarez made his first court appearance Wednesday and told the judge he had moved to Florida from New York approximately one year ago. According to the Sun-Sentinel, the court then noted the defendant had been ordered by New York to stay clear of firearms.

Judge John Hurley set a high bond of $25,000.

As for the store – it’s already back to business as usual. They gave away a free .40 caliber Glock 23 just one day after the incident.

But Hughes is just happy that the incident ended peacefully.

“If he took that gun and killed 20 kids tomorrow at a school, I’m responsible for that, so that’s not happening on my watch.”