Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities apprehended 20-year-old Raymond John McConnell from Orange Park early this morning. He faces charges of robbery by sudden snatching along with three counts of battery, following an alleged assault on three women near the University of Florida campus.
According to the victims’ account to the Gainesville Police Department, they were seated on the curb along the 1800 block of NW 1st Avenue around 2 a.m. on January 25, awaiting a ride home. It was then that McConnell reportedly approached with a group of three or four companions.
The incident escalated when McConnell allegedly yanked one woman to her feet by her arm. When another woman stepped in, urging McConnell to desist, he reportedly spat into his hand and delivered a forceful slap to her face. The situation intensified as McConnell allegedly proceeded to punch and kick her, before brutally stomping on her head, neck, and upper body once she had fallen.
Attempting to help, the first woman faced a similar assault, as McConnell allegedly struck and kicked her, following up with more stomping once she was down.
In the chaos, McConnell is accused of seizing the second woman’s Coach purse and iPhone before retreating while laughing mockingly. The third woman bravely confronted him, managing to reclaim the purse, although unaware at the time that the phone had also been taken. McConnell allegedly pushed her during the altercation.
The phone was found a few blocks away, with a damaged screen.
The third woman was not injured, but the other two women had internal pain and numerous scratches and bruises.
A witness reportedly told the officer that she saw McConnell spit on his hand and slap the second woman in the face with the same hand; she said the first and second women were attacked by McConnell and he took the second woman’s purse and phone.
McConnell has been charged with robbery by sudden snatching and three counts of battery. Judge James Colaw signed a warrant for his arrest on January 29 and set bail at $65,000. McConnell has four misdemeanor convictions, and he is on pre-trial release for two more misdemeanor charges out of Duval County.
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.
