Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 38-year-old Orlando resident, James Louis Pandolfe Jr., was taken into custody on December 11. He faces allegations of breaking into his former girlfriend’s apartment and causing extensive damage to nearly everything inside.
The incident unraveled when an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a distressed call on September 4, 2025. The victim expressed fear about entering her own home. After ensuring the apartment was empty, she recounted that she had been away from mid-August to September 1. During her absence, Pandolfe allegedly left her voicemails ominously claiming the apartment was on fire and her belongings were at risk. She delayed her return to Gainesville out of fear, and upon entering, she discovered both the door and numerous belongings damaged.
The deputy’s report detailed that the apartment’s front door bore pry marks, and nearly all the possessions inside, barring two pieces of furniture, were vandalized. Laundry detergent was smeared across some of the walls, and a bathroom door was “torn to pieces.” The victim’s diary had pages ripped out, with vulgar messages scrawled throughout. Total damages were estimated to be around $10,000.
When contacted, Pandolfe admitted to visiting the apartment on August 26 to retrieve his golf clubs while the victim was away. However, the deputy observed that some wall damage appeared to result from blunt force, potentially from a golf club. Pandolfe denied sending any threatening voicemails or having broken into the apartment or destroyed any property.
Pandolfe has been charged with burglary causing over $1,000 in damage and felony property damage. Despite having a prior non-violent misdemeanor conviction, Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail on the burglary charge. This decision followed a motion from the State Attorney’s office, and today, Judge David Kreider upheld the motion, ruling that Pandolfe remain in custody without bail until his trial.
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.
