Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Mitchell Lee Jones, 36, and David Michael Morgan, 39, were arrested yesterday after authorities said they stole about $300 worth of oxtail and fled from police. Jones also faces a burglary charge after he was allegedly found hiding inside an enclosed lanai in Haystacks.
According to a Gainesville Police Department officer, the incident began around 11:45 a.m. October 16 at Enson Market, 3045 SW 34th Street. Jones allegedly took 10 bags of frozen oxtail from the store and headed toward a tan Jeep Wrangler driven by Morgan. Two employees followed him and seized the shopping cart before he could place the merchandise inside the Jeep.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed Jones arguing with the employees as he left the store before walking toward the passenger side of the Jeep. Morgan began driving while Jones was attempting to get inside, but Jones eventually entered the vehicle. The Jeep’s license plate was clearly visible on the video.
An officer later spotted the tan Jeep traveling on Archer Road and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle stopped as it approached a red light, but Morgan allegedly accelerated away after the officer exited her patrol car and ordered him to turn off the Jeep.
The officer followed at a safe distance and saw the Jeep enter the Haystacks area. As she approached, two men reportedly ran from the vehicle. The officer said Jones was carrying a Publix shopping basket and a black backpack; both items were later recovered nearby.
Jones allegedly ran into a secured residence. The officer lost sight of him as she approached the home and stopped at the threshold to await backup. She reported hearing no sounds suggesting a disturbance inside.
A K-9 team subsequently tracked Jones to a second residence, where he was reportedly found hiding in a closet inside an enclosed lanai attached to the home.
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The Publix basket allegedly contained six packages of pork chops valued at $48.65. Publix declined to pursue criminal charges.
The black backpack reportedly held three packages of New York strip steaks and one package of short ribs from Sam’s Club, with a total value of $211.09. Sam’s Club indicated it wanted to pursue charges, but the charges remain pending an investigation into when the items were taken.
After being advised of his Miranda rights, Morgan reportedly said he had been driving Jones around but did not know what Jones was doing. He later said he felt compelled to drive Jones while he carried out those actions. When an officer asked whether he feared for his life or had another reason for helping Jones, Morgan reportedly called it “a long story.” He also reportedly admitted fleeing from the officer.
Jones, whose address is listed as GRACE Marketplace, was charged with petit theft related to the oxtail and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling. As of last fall, he had seven non-violent felony convictions and five non-violent misdemeanor convictions. He previously served one state prison sentence and was released in 2020. Jones also faces a sworn complaint alleging fleeing and drug possession stemming from a September 12 incident, when he was detained by a Gainesville police officer and later taken to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. Judge Kristine Van Vorst set his bail at $125,000.
Morgan was charged with fleeing from law enforcement, resisting an officer without violence and petit theft. His most recent documented contact with the Alachua County court system, in October 2024, showed three felony convictions—one violent—and six non-violent misdemeanor convictions. He also had a federal record from 2011-12 and a North Carolina history dating from 2011 to 2018. Judge Van Vorst set his bail at $125,000.
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.
