Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 55-year-old man, Floyd Edward Taber, has been taken into custody following allegations that he threatened two individuals with a knife.
Police officers from the Gainesville Police Department were called to a Wawa convenience store located at 2305 NW 13th Street around midnight on May 21. According to the victims, a dispute had erupted with Taber on the store’s south side, during which he allegedly brandished a folding knife and advanced toward them.
Both victims recounted seeing the silver blade, expressing genuine fear for their safety.
During the arrest process, officers reportedly discovered a glass pipe and a metal plunger, items typically associated with crack cocaine use.
After being read his Miranda rights, Taber allegedly confessed to brandishing the knife out of frustration and feeling disrespected. He claimed, however, that he never opened the blade and kept the knife in its closed position. Taber also reportedly acknowledged that the glass pipe belonged to him and was used for smoking crack cocaine.
Taber, who is described as homeless in court documents, has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has no criminal convictions, and Judge Adam Lee set bail at $25,000.
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.
