Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jamal Pablo Abramson, 47, found himself behind bars last night following allegations of stealing various items from the cafeteria at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, coupled with making threats to a teenage cashier.
Around 7:45 p.m. on August 10, Abramson reportedly grabbed two salads and a sparkling water from the cooler in the hospital cafeteria, and then requested a bag from the 16-year-old cashier. When asked if he intended to pay for the salads, Abramson allegedly claimed his sister was an employee there. The arrest report indicates the cashier attempted to confirm this, but Abramson’s sister supposedly instructed the cashier not to provide food under her name. Consequently, Abramson left the hospital premises with the food and drink without settling the bill.
Approximately at 9 p.m., the scenario reportedly intensified when Abramson returned to the cafeteria, took a package of Skittles, and confronted the cashier regarding the check with his sister. Despite the cashier insisting that he was merely performing his duties and asking Abramson to leave, Abramson is alleged to have reached behind his waistband, hinting at danger to the cashier’s life if he continued his job. No weapon was displayed, leading the cashier to step back, fearing for his safety.
Officers from the Gainesville Police Department located Abramson within nearby blocks shortly after. Reports confirm he was unarmed at the moment of arrest.
Abramson reportedly made a spontaneous statement while speaking with officers that the cashier was a “dead man walking” for calling the police.
Following his Miranda rights, Abramson acknowledged taking a salad and requesting a bag from the cashier, maintaining that his sister works in the hospital kitchen. He later remarked that the charges would eventually be dismissed since he supposedly took Skittles, not salad.
Abramson now faces charges of unarmed robbery and petit theft. His criminal record includes one felony (violent) and three misdemeanor (non-violent) convictions. On July 11, he was previously arrested for reportedly creating chaos on a street in Linton Oaks while under the influence, where he threatened to shoot bystanders but was subsequently released on personal recognizance. A prior arrest on June 1 for alleged possession of drug paraphernalia involved threats to a woman, although that charge was eventually dismissed. Judge Susan Miller-Jones has set bail at $55,000 for the new offenses and mandated a mental health assessment.
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.
