Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities apprehended 38-year-old Braja Mandala Sanchez yesterday, following allegations of threatening a maintenance worker with a hatchet in hand.

The incident unfolded at approximately 1:37 p.m. on April 2, when a Gainesville Police Department officer was dispatched to the Millhopper Publix located at 2201 NW 43rd Street. The maintenance worker reported that he had requested Sanchez to relocate so he could clean the vicinity with a lawn blower. Sanchez allegedly reacted with anger, rising to grab a handheld hatchet from an orange cooler and advancing a step towards the worker. Fearing for his safety, the worker retreated.

A bystander familiar with Sanchez informed the officer that a dispute arose over dirt being blown onto Sanchez’s food. However, the witness insisted that no threats were issued during the altercation.

The orange cooler was eventually located near Arby’s at 4253 NW 25th Avenue, and the hatchet was discovered in a shopping cart at Five Guys, situated at 4222 NW 16th Boulevard. Officers established a perimeter around Arby’s, where Sanchez reportedly exited willingly, explaining to an officer that there were two sides to every story.

After being read his Miranda rights, Sanchez explained that he was preparing food near the Publix when the victim blew dirt over his meal with a lawn blower. Sanchez claimed he requested the worker to pause and allow him a moment to gather his belongings before leaving the area. He adamantly denied using the hatchet to intimidate the worker.

Sanchez, whose address is listed as St. Francis House, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He has two felony convictions (one violent) and seven misdemeanor convictions (one violent); he served a nine-month jail sentence in 2025 for battery on a victim over 65 years old. Judge William Davis set bail at $20,000.

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