By Staff Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Bernard John Rutkowski, 52, found himself in police custody on charges of theft and making threats to a police officer following an incident involving a stolen soda from Relish.

Authorities were called to Relish, located at 201 SE 1st Street, around 1:40 p.m. on February 8, where employees reported that Rutkowski, who had been previously banned from the premises, had taken a bottle of Coke without paying. Staff recounted that upon his entry, Rutkowski was informed he was unwelcome, yet he allegedly proceeded to grab the soda and leave.

Police later located Rutkowski in the 400 block of South Main Street, where he was recognized by the responding officer due to prior interactions and matched the description given by Relish employees.

During a search conducted at the time of his arrest, officers did not find the bottle of Coke on Rutkowski, who denied having stolen it when questioned.

Once placed in the patrol vehicle, Rutkowski reportedly made threats against the officer’s life, stating intentions to shoot him and threatening future harm with a knife. Additionally, Rutkowski allegedly claimed he would use hand grenades to blow up the officer’s car.

Rutkowski, who is described as homeless in the arrest report, has been charged with petit theft (third or subsequent offense), threatening a police officer, and trespassing after a warning. He has 20 misdemeanor convictions (one violent). He was arrested in 2022 for stealing an energy drink and breaking a glass door at Starbucks in the same area of downtown; he was later sentenced to 60 days in jail with credit for 60 days served in that case. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $65,000 and ordered a mental health evaluation.

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.