Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Joshuia Bernard Jenkins, 36, is facing charges of burglary, theft, and criminal property damage after police say he took merchandise from a Publix store where he had previously been trespassed; authorities also allege he damaged a patrol vehicle by kicking it, causing an estimated $250 in damage.
Around 7:23 a.m. on July 1, an employee at the Publix at 203 NW 13th Street reportedly saw Jenkins carrying a Publix shopping bag filled with assorted electronic items later valued at $89.48. The employee told police Jenkins passed all checkout points without paying, prompting the employee to say, “You have to pay for that.”
Jenkins allegedly disregarded the employee and left the store. The employee told the responding Gainesville Police Department officer that he had dealt with Jenkins before and knew him by name; according to the officer, Jenkins had previously been warned that he would be arrested if he returned to the property.
Police later located Jenkins walking along NW 6th Avenue near NW 13th Street. While an officer was attempting to handcuff him, Jenkins allegedly kicked the officer’s patrol vehicle, causing approximately $250 in damage. The officer reported that Jenkins was still holding the Publix bag with the electronic items inside and was wearing clothing that matched what was shown on the store’s surveillance footage.
Jenkins reportedly said, “Why do you have to take me to jail for something so petty?… It was only like 50-something dollars.”
After being read his Miranda rights, Jenkins reportedly declined to answer questions.
Jenkins has been charged with burglary of an occupied structure, felony petit theft with prior theft convictions, and felony property damage. His criminal history includes 10 felony convictions, two of them violent, and 24 misdemeanor convictions, five of them violent. He has served two state prison sentences and was most recently released in 2021. Jenkins was also arrested in April on an indecent exposure charge, which was later reduced to disturbing the peace; after entering a plea of nolo contendere, he served 40 days in jail.
Judge Joy Danne set bail at $17,500.
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.
