Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Shaun Phillip Bond, 59, was taken into custody last night after allegedly damaging a glass door at the Publix on Main Street as he attempted to re-enter the store after hours.

Around 10:09 p.m., a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to Publix (1302 N. Main Street), where a store employee reported that Bond had been behaving “erratically” around the store for about 5-10 minutes before closing, alarming the customers. The employee noted that Bond left the store and wandered in the parking lot before attempting to re-enter; Bond allegedly inquired if the employee was a police officer.

The employee described locking the entrance doors at closing time when Bond approached him, claiming people were following him and insisting to be let back inside. The employee informed him that the store was closed and instructed him to leave, but Bond reportedly insisted he was entering the store. The employee managed to close and lock the door while Bond allegedly attempted to force the doors open, shouting to be let in. When the employee threatened to call the police, Bond allegedly threw a can of wasp spray at the door, causing the glass to crack. The employee then closed the metal shutters over the glass and called 911.

The officer responding to the call found Bond leaving the vicinity on a bicycle and detained him. The employee positively identified Bond as the individual who attempted to break into the store.

After being read his Miranda rights, Bond reportedly admitted to trying to enter the store and becoming angry when the employee wouldn’t allow him in. He acknowledged that he had been told to leave but insisted he needed to enter the store because he believed he was being followed, leading to him throwing a can of wasp spray at the door.

The officer noted that he did not see anyone following Bond, and Bond would not say who was allegedly following him.

Bond, whose address is listed as GRACE Marketplace, is facing charges of attempted burglary. He has a history of five felony convictions (one violent) and six non-violent misdemeanor convictions. In January 2023, he was arrested at GRACE Marketplace for pointing an air rifle at several people and threatening them, also assaulting police officers. In July 2023, he was deemed incompetent to stand trial and was committed to a state mental hospital; he was later found competent in February 2024 and entered a nolo contendere plea to battery on a police officer, leading to a plea deal that dropped two aggravated assault charges. He received a 6-month jail sentence, with credit for time served, and was subsequently released.

Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $25,000 on the new charges and ordered a mental health evaluation within 24 hours.

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.