Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities detained Pierre Lavon Williams, 35, following an accusation of robbing an individual at gunpoint. Williams was already on pre-trial release for four other incidents and now faces a Notice to Appear along with a formal complaint in two more cases.

On the night of September 9, around 10:15 p.m., a Gainesville Police Department officer was dispatched to the 1500 block of NE 23rd Avenue. The victim recounted that while riding his electric scooter along NE 23rd Avenue, he heard Williams call out his name.

Recognizing Williams, the victim approached him, but during their conversation, Williams allegedly brandished a black Glock handgun, aiming it at the victim’s face. Williams reportedly threatened, “If you don’t want to die, give me the necklace.” Consequently, the victim surrendered his necklace to Williams, who also took possession of his electric scooter.

According to police, surveillance footage captured a man fitting the robber’s description at the Sunrise Food Mart (1542 NE 23rd Avenue) around 9:30 p.m. Later, at 9:46 p.m., the victim was observed at the adjacent liquor store with an electric scooter and a gold necklace. Both individuals were recorded together outside the store at approximately 9:50 p.m. The victim departed around 10:07 p.m., still with his scooter and necklace. By 10:15 p.m., the other man was seen heading in the direction the victim had gone, and by about 10:20 p.m., the victim returned to the store without his scooter and necklace.

The victim said he believes Williams is homeless, and the officer reported that he was unable to locate Williams, so he filed a sworn complaint.

Williams faces armed robbery charges. His criminal record includes 12 felony convictions—none violent—along with two violent and 10 non-violent misdemeanor convictions. He has served four state prison terms, most recently being released in June 2023.

Williams was on pre-trial release from a January 12 incident linked to the arrest of Javon Reshard Myhand. That case commenced when Myhand reported being robbed by calling 911. Myhand asserted Williams had entered his room at the Baymont Inn, wielding a firearm, and forcibly took about $3,500 from a desk drawer. Williams allegedly threatened Myhand with a gun before escaping in a black sedan.

Williams is also on pre-trial release for shoplifting over $2,000 in items from the Polo Ralph Lauren store at Celebration Pointe in May, and he was arrested in August for allegedly violating pre-trial release conditions in a domestic battery case. In all, he is facing charges in six other cases.

Judge Meshon Rawls ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.

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.