Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – James Aryan Conley, 27, was arrested early this morning for allegedly intentionally damaging a parked car downtown.
As per the Gainesville Police Department’s responding officer, an incident occurred at approximately 1:25 a.m. on October 4, when a security guard witnessed a man striking a blue Mustang three times using a heavy object, later identified as the top of a compressed gas bottle, while the car was parked on the 100 block of SW 1st Street. The man fled south towards the courthouse located at 220 S. Main Street, but circled back and was spotted once more by the security guard, who pointed him out to an officer; another officer subsequently apprehended the suspect, identified as Conley.
A separate witness informed an officer that they heard roughly nine loud bangs and then observed a man, later identified as Conley, leaning against the damaged Mustang. The witness reported seeing Conley charge at the vehicle and hurl a heavy object at it before fleeing south, removing his shirt, putting it back on, and heading west on SW 2nd Avenue.
The officer noted the Mustang was stained with blood, and there was visible damage to the rear window and the driver’s side front window; additionally, the driver’s side door showed a dent. A broken beer bottle and the top of a compressed gas cylinder were discovered near the vehicle.
The officer estimated the damage to the car at about $900, leading to a misdemeanor property damage charge.
In a search conducted during the arrest, officers reportedly found six tablets testing positive for MDMA/Ecstasy and a sizable chunk of asphalt in Conley’s pocket. Conley reportedly had hand injuries resembling cuts from shattered glass.
After being read his Miranda rights, Conley reportedly stated the drugs were Ecstasy, only to later claim they were not and that he was unsure what they were. He mentioned breaking a bottle on a trash can.
Conley, who lists his address at GRACE Marketplace, faces charges of property damage under $1,000 and possession of a controlled substance. While his full criminal record is not available, he was released in July following a state prison term for an offense in Putnam County, and he remains on probation in relation to that case. Judge Craig DeThomasis has set his bail at $7,500; as of yet, Conley has not been charged with violating his probation.
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.
