Gainesville, Fla. – Omarion Dwayne Thomas, a 19-year-old resident, found himself in police custody following a disturbing series of events involving animal cruelty and vandalism. Authorities arrested him after he allegedly drowned his former girlfriend’s pet bearded dragon and later vandalized property in their apartment complex.
The troubling series of events began on November 18 when Thomas’s then-girlfriend left for work, leaving him alone in her room with her pet bearded dragon, Ziggy. Upon her return, she discovered a blanket draped over Ziggy’s glass enclosure. Uncovering the tank, she was horrified to find Ziggy lifeless, submerged in an unusual amount of water. Despite her attempts to save her beloved pet, it was evident that Ziggy had drowned.
In a statement given to the Gainesville Police Department, the woman explained that bearded dragons, being desert dwellers, require minimal water, rendering the addition of water to the tank both unnecessary and harmful. Without a perch, Ziggy likely struggled to stay afloat until exhaustion overcame him.
When confronted about the incident, Thomas reportedly offered no explanation for his actions. His silence prompted his ex-girlfriend to demand he leave the premises.
The following day, November 19, Thomas’s presence at the Oxford Manor apartment complex, where his former girlfriend resides, was officially prohibited, barring him from entering any common areas.
On November 19, Thomas was trespassed from the common areas of the Oxford Manor apartment complex, where his ex-girlfriend lives.
A Gainesville Police Department officer responded to Oxford Manor (2777 SW Archer Road) at about 12:43 p.m. on November 22, and an employee showed the officer surveillance video that showed Thomas picking up a large concrete rock and throwing it into the large glass window of the community center, resulting in damage estimated at $3,200. Thomas fled before the officer arrived.
At 6:27 p.m. on November 22, the same employee called the police to report that Thomas was back on the property, and an officer responded to arrest him.
Post Miranda, Thomas reportedly admitted that he had thrown a rock into the window and said he didn’t really know why he did it. He also reportedly denied having any contact with law enforcement on the 19th, when he was issued a trespass warning from the apartment complex. He said he was hanging out at the complex “for no reason.”
According to the arrest report, Thomas is homeless and has no valid reason for being in the common areas of the apartment complex. The employee reportedly said that Thomas has broken other windows and has stolen packages from residents and other items from staff over the past month; additional charges are expected.
Thomas has been charged with animal cruelty causing excessive pain or death, property damage over $1,000, and trespassing. He has one misdemeanor conviction for shoplifting and was fined after a deferred prosecution agreement was revoked because he failed to comply with the conditions of the agreement. Judge Robert Groeb set bail at $10,000 for the animal cruelty charge and $15,000 for the charges at the apartment complex.
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.
