In a startling incident in Waldo, Florida, James Rodney Amburgey, aged 59, found himself in handcuffs after allegedly causing havoc involving a vehicle and a home. Authorities took action following claims that Amburgey shattered a car window and hurled a nail-studded club through a house window, leading to significant property damage.
The events unfolded around 9:51 a.m. on February 28, when an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, the deputy observed a vehicle with a shattered rear window and a damaged right-side mirror. Additionally, shards of glass littered the front porch, and the home’s front window was broken. Inside, a wooden club, approximately 15 inches long with nails protruding from one end, was discovered amidst more broken glass.
Security footage from the victim’s camera system played a crucial role in identifying Amburgey as the suspect responsible for the damages. Despite the evidence, when confronted by deputies, Amburgey, after being read his Miranda rights, denied any involvement, claiming ignorance of the events.
Amburgey now faces charges of launching a missile into a dwelling and misdemeanor property damage. His past brushes with the law include a 2020 arrest for felony property damage involving a sledgehammer and a 2024 guilty plea for trespassing on hunting land after being warned, for which he was fined. Given these circumstances, Judge Jonathan Ramsey has set his bail at $10,000.
Deputies located Amburgey and detained him; post Miranda, Amburgey reportedly denied knowing anything about the incident and denied breaking any windows or throwing the club.
Amburgey has been charged with throwing a missile into a dwelling and misdemeanor property damage. He was previously arrested for felony property damage after hitting a vehicle with a sledgehammer in 2020, and adjudication of guilt was withheld in that case; in 2024, he entered a plea of nolo contendere to trespassing on hunting land after a warning and was adjudicated guilty and fined. Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $10,000.
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.
