Staff report
ARCHER, Fla. — Jamiere Lamar Baker, 19, was taken into custody early this morning after authorities accused him of stealing a van from Archer First Baptist Church and smashing two windows at Archer First United Methodist Church.
According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy was dispatched around 10:45 p.m. on June 19 to First United Methodist Church, located at 17121 SW 137th Lane. A witness told deputies she heard the sound of breaking glass and alerted another witness, who then went outside and reportedly saw a tall Black male leaving the church grounds.
When the deputy arrived, investigators found damage to two windows — one standard glass pane and one stained-glass window. Blood was also reportedly discovered near the broken windows.
Deputies later made contact with Baker just north of the church. Authorities said he agreed to a search, which allegedly turned up a set of keys labeled “First Baptist 2017 VAN,” as well as a small box of firecrackers and less than 20 grams of marijuana.
A deputy also reported that Baker had a fresh cut on one finger, along with two smaller lacerations on the backs of his legs.
Post Miranda, Baker reportedly admitted to entering the Baptist church on June 9, where he found the keys and drove the van; he also admitted to entering the Baptist church again on June 19 through a window. He said he took the firecrackers from the church.
The pastor of the Baptist church reportedly provided a case report showing that he had reported the van and its keys stolen. He also said he’d had a box of firecrackers in his office. The pastor reported that the church’s decals had been removed from the van.
The pastor of the United Methodist church was also contacted, and both pastors wanted to press charges.
Baker has been charged with two counts of burglary of an unoccupied structure, property damage to a church, grand theft of a motor vehicle, misdemeanor property damage, and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana. He has a juvenile conviction from 2022. Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $19,500.
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.
