GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the early hours of today, Cebran Bill Kohn III, a 31-year-old resident of Ft. White, found himself in police custody, facing drug-related charges in connection with a suspected burglary at a Metro PCS store located on North Main Street. The Gainesville Police Department is currently seeking assistance from the public to identify a second suspect involved in the crime, whose image appears above.
The incident unfolded around 3:38 a.m. on November 18 when officers responded to a triggered burglary alarm at the Metro PCS store at 1103 N. Main Street. Surveillance footage captured at least one individual breaking into the store and making off with several cell phones, all happening mere moments before police arrived on the scene. During the robbery, one suspect can be heard instructing, “Give me another bag,” while another suspect appeared to communicate from outside the store, though this second individual was not caught on camera.
As officers neared the scene, they noticed two individuals on a bicycle, one of whom matched the description from the surveillance video. When approached by the officer, who activated his lights and ordered them to stop, the suspects fled. One of them, still unidentified, was carrying a “large, full bag” later retrieved by police, containing numerous brand-new cell phones still in their packaging.
Kohn was ultimately found during a K-9 search in the 800 block of NW 16th Avenue. Upon his arrest, a search revealed a crack pipe and a backpack with “one-hitter pipes” typically used for narcotics, burnt tin foil, and a substance testing positive for methamphetamine. Kohn reportedly claimed he believed the substance was heroin.
Kohn was apprehended during a K-9 search in the 800 block of NW 16th Avenue.
A search incident to arrest reportedly produced a crack pipe, along with a backpack containing “one-hitter pipes” commonly used to smoke narcotics, burnt tin foil, and a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine; Kohn reportedly said he thought the substance was heroin.
Post Miranda, Kohn reportedly admitted to running from the officer.
Kohn has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting an officer without violence; charges related to the burglary are pending.
Kohn has some local traffic offenses but no local criminal convictions; his full criminal history will be available on Nov. 19, and his bail will be set then.
The suspect shown on camera remains at large and is shown in the image above; GPD detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying him. Anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the pictured suspect is asked to contact Detective Barnes at 352-642-6121. Callers can remain anonymous by contacting Alachua County Crime Stoppers Inc at their website or at 352-372-STOP(7867) or by downloading the Crime Stoppers P3 Tips app. Crime Stoppers pays up to $1,000 if the information results in an arrest, and no name is required to receive a reward.
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.
