Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Thomas Wesley Burch, 33, was arrested yesterday after police said he forced his way into a neighbor’s home and threatened to fight one of the occupants.
At approximately 10:45 a.m. on November 1, a Gainesville Police Department officer was dispatched to a residence near the 1800 block of NW 43rd Street. According to the female victim, Burch came to the home and confronted a female witness outside. The victim told the witness to go inside, but Burch followed her toward a side entrance while saying he wanted to speak with the male victim.
As the witness entered the house, Burch allegedly pushed past both women. The female victim reported that her foot was injured as she and the witness pressed against the door to prevent him from coming fully inside.
After seeing the male victim, Burch reportedly said he needed to talk to him and began shouting. The female victim attempted to restrain him as the confrontation escalated.
The male victim told police that Burch clenched his fists, took a fighting stance and yelled at him in an aggressive manner. When the female victim called 911, Burch left the residence.
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Burch reportedly approached the responding officer and acknowledged entering the home. After being read his Miranda rights, he said he had not intended to fight the male victim and only wanted to talk. Burch denied acting aggressively, though he reportedly admitted calling the male victim a “pussy” and acknowledged that he had been “very animated,” which could have appeared threatening.
The male victim said Burch’s angry behavior and aggressive stance caused him to fear that Burch intended to hurt him.
The witness reportedly told officers that Burch was using “fighting words” and that she believed he entered the home intending to confront the male victim physically.
Burch faces charges of burglary of an occupied dwelling and assault. He has no prior criminal history. Judge Joy Danne ordered him held without bail while awaiting a hearing on the State Attorney’s Office request to keep him detained without bail through trial. If the motion is denied, bail will be determined at that hearing.
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.
