Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 67-year-old man, identified as Michael Scott Vicary, was taken into custody early this morning after police say he walked into an occupied apartment near campus and began searching through the kitchen refrigerator and cabinets.
According to the Gainesville Police Department, an officer was called to an apartment building at 1235 NW 5th Avenue at about 2:19 a.m. on August 2. One resident told police she heard sounds coming from the kitchen, opened her bedroom door, and saw a man she did not know inside the apartment. She described him as an older white man, approximately 70 to 80 years old, wearing a flannel shirt.
Police said officers located Vicary near the building’s lobby, and he matched the description provided by the resident. Other officers reportedly found the victim’s work ID badge placed on top of Vicary’s belongings. The resident later identified Vicary as the person she had seen inside her kitchen, according to the report.
During a search connected to the arrest, officers reportedly found a metal water bottle and a glass water cup that belonged to the victims.
After being read his Miranda rights, Vicary allegedly told police he entered the apartment because the door was unlocked. He also reportedly admitted taking the victim’s badge before leaving. Police said Vicary stated he does not live in the apartment building and was “just checking it out.”
Vicary, whose listed address is GRACE Marketplace, faces charges of burglary of an occupied dwelling and petit theft. He has no local criminal history, but court records show an extensive criminal history in Palm Beach County over the past three years. His most recent conviction was for shoplifting on June 1, when he was sentenced to time served. Judge Denise Ferrero set his bail at $150,000.
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.
