By Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A Gainesville man, Brandon Lee Richardson, aged 29, found himself in police custody following accusations of theft involving a phone and wallet from a vehicle parked in midtown. He allegedly proceeded to use a stolen card at several local establishments.
The incident unfolded around 7:12 p.m. on November 26, when a Gainesville Police Department officer was dispatched to a residence in Midtown. The victim recounted how she was preparing her vehicle for a Thanksgiving trip when she discovered one of the car doors ajar.
Upon inspection, she realized her cell phone and wallet had been taken. She initially attempted to find the phone on her own before contacting law enforcement. When the officer arrived, the victim pointed out that her phone’s GPS showed it was last located at the Chevron station on 1024 W. University Avenue.
Later that evening, the victim received alerts that her bank card had been used at several locations, including the Gate convenience store, Publix, and Chevron, all situated in the Midtown vicinity. The officer then examined the surveillance footage from the Chevron station.
Chevron employees provided the officer with information about the unauthorized transaction. Surveillance footage captured a black male, dressed entirely in black and carrying a backpack, using a red card resembling the stolen bank card to buy cigarillos.
While canvassing the area for the suspect, the officer found Richardson sitting at McDonald’s (1200 W. University Avenue), wearing the same clothing as the man in the video and carrying an identical book bag. The officer saw the same type of cigarillos hanging out of Richardson’s pocket.
A Chevron employee identified Richardson as the man who made the fraudulent transaction and said he is a “regular” who comes into the store “three to four times a day.”
Post Miranda, Richardson reportedly admitted going to the Chevron multiple times that day. He said he purchased cigarillos with a “gift card” because that was the only card he had, but he reportedly changed his story and said he had a “red” bank card that day. He reportedly said the card was given to him by a “random” guy he had smoked crack with earlier in the day. However, he could not provide a name or description of that person.
Richardson initially denied knowing where the card was stolen but later said he walked past that location every day; he denied breaking into the victim’s car.
A search incident to arrest reportedly produced a small amount of “crack” cocaine.
Richardson reportedly said he was in the Midtown area because he was released from prison a few weeks ago and didn’t have anywhere to stay.
Richardson, who is designated as a violent offender of special concern, has been charged with burglary of an unoccupied vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, and fraudulent use of a bank card. He has 15 felony convictions and eight misdemeanor convictions and was released from prison on October 29 after serving seven concurrent five-year sentences. Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $75,000.
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.
