A convicted felon is back in jail after detectives said they caught him with a stolen pistol and more than 70 grams of marijuana.

On March 10, a Lee County sheriff’s detective was on a traffic stop when he was approached by a man who claimed an unknown black male had entered his garage and stolen a handgun from on top of his vehicle.

The victim said the suspect had backed into his driveway in a Pontiac and asked to speak to his roommate. When the victim said his roommate was not at home, the suspect continued the conversation by asking if the duplex next door might be for rent, authorities said.

The victim told the suspect the duplex was already rented and the suspect returned to his vehicle to leave. The victim says he then began to take the trash out from his garage. When he returned to his garage, the handgun he had left on top of his vehicle was gone. The victim gave the detective a description of the vehicle and noted that the suspect was dressed in all black, authorities said.

A short time later, a white Pontiac Grand Prix matching the vehicle description was observed by another deputy pulling into a gas station on State Road 82 in Lehigh Acres.

The deputy made contact with the occupants of the vehicle and was given consent to search the vehicle. Under the driver side seat, the deputy found the handgun and ammunition as described by the victim. The victim arrived on scene and positively identified the suspect as the person at his residence when his gun disappeared, investigators said.

A check of the vehicle’s center console also revealed more than 70 grams of marijuana along with clear plastic baggies.

The suspect, Jamal James, was arrested. A further records check revealed James was a registered felon for a prior felony drug offense and currently on state probation. The probation prohibits James from possessing firearms.

Deputies charged Jamal James, 19, of 4226 26th St. SW, Lehigh Acres, with armed occupied burglary to a dwelling; grand theft of a firearm; possession of marijuana of over 20 grams; possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; carrying a concealed firearm; possession of a firearm/ammunition by a convicted felon; violation of state probation; driving with a suspended license.