Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Keeshay Jamaal Sumpter, aged 29, was taken into custody yesterday after allegedly stealing from O’Reilly Auto Parts, striking a staff member with a stick, and fleeing with the employee’s damaged spectacles.
Around 3:04 p.m. on September 17, while an O’Reilly Auto Parts employee on East University Avenue was assisting a customer outside, Sumpter approached. The employee informed a Gainesville Police Department officer that Sumpter had noticeable blood on the right side of his face and carried a stick. The employee also identified Sumpter as a suspect in a previous store incident involving the theft of soft drinks.
Sumpter reportedly walked into the store, took a box of diesel exhaust fluid worth approximately $26, and exited without payment. When the employee tried to intervene, Sumpter allegedly struck the employee’s hand with the stick; the situation escalated into a shoving match where Sumpter is said to have struck the employee’s head. During the scuffle, the employee’s prescription glasses fell and broke, and Sumpter allegedly picked them up before fleeing.
Sumpter was reportedly located by officers in the 100 block of NE 13th Street, where he attempted to escape but was captured after a brief foot pursuit.
After being read his rights, Sumpter chose not to acknowledge them and remained uncommunicative. The stolen diesel exhaust fluid and glasses were not recovered.
With his address listed as St. Francis House, Sumpter faces charges of armed robbery, sudden snatching robbery, and resisting an officer without violence. His criminal history includes nine felony convictions (none violent) and 10 misdemeanors (one violent); he previously served a state prison term and was released in 2022.
In March 2025, he was arrested for allegedly punching a gas station employee and was charged with battery, drug possession, and possession of drug paraphernalia; he was released on his own recognizance, and he was arrested again in August after violating his pre-trial release conditions twice. He entered a plea of nolo contendere to possession of drug paraphernalia, and on September 2, he was sentenced to 30 days in jail with credit for 27 days served.
Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $102,000 on the new charges.
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.
