By: Staff Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kelly Nicholas Welch, aged 63, faces charges of burglary and property damage following an alleged incident where he reportedly vandalized appliances in an apartment from which he was previously evicted, resulting in damages estimated at over $15,000.
According to a report from the Gainesville Police Department, around 9 p.m. on November 15, the maintenance supervisor at Village Crossing Apartments, located at 501 SE 18th Street, heard a commotion involving a man yelling and smashing objects. Upon investigating, the supervisor reportedly witnessed Welch tossing items out of an unoccupied unit.
The supervisor identified Welch as a former tenant of the apartment, noting that he had been evicted two weeks earlier while incarcerated (Welch was released from Alachua County Jail on November 15). Welch was allegedly shouting, “Why did you do this to me?” as he hurled objects from the premises.
Despite being instructed to vacate, Welch allegedly refused to leave and continued his tirade. When Welch approached the supervisor, the latter pushed him away, prompting Welch to depart before law enforcement arrived on the scene.
The officer’s report indicated that the apartment was undergoing renovations and contained no personal belongings of Welch, which left no justification for his presence there.
The supervisor reported that the refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, and toilet fixtures were damaged beyond repair, and a closet, walls, and windows were damaged; two or three inches of water/sewage were on the floor. The damages could not be immediately estimated but were at least $15,000.
The officer reported that Welch probably entered the apartment by breaking a window because there was “a good amount of blood” near the window and on the walls.
Welch, who is described as homeless in the arrest report, has been charged with burglary and felony property damage. He has 23 felony convictions (two violent) and 42 misdemeanor convictions (one violent); he has served four state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2023. Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $2,500.
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.
