Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Tyeesha Teresa Smith, 21, was taken into custody early this morning after she reportedly entered an occupied residence. The owner claimed that during his week-long absence, the home’s interior was vandalized, and his food was consumed.

Around 2:42 a.m. on June 19, a Gainesville Police Department officer met the victim at Depot Park after he had reportedly caught up with Smith, who had fled from his residence.

The resident, who lives a short distance north of Depot Park, stated he returned from his week-long trip to discover his home in chaos. He noted that Smith entered his house through the front door “as if she was familiar with the place,” but upon seeing that he was armed with a firearm, she fled. The victim pursued her to the Depot Park parking lot and remained there with her until the officer’s arrival.

Post Miranda, Smith reportedly said that earlier in the day, an unknown black male with gold teeth told her she could borrow a bike from the victim’s home, so some time later, she walked inside to speak to the unknown male, thinking he lived at the house. She said she saw the victim when she entered the house and added that she didn’t have any further information about the unknown black male.

The officer reported that the house’s GRU meter was damaged, two smoke detectors had been pulled from the ceiling, the victim’s belongings were scattered throughout the house, furniture was moved to different rooms (including a couch in the kitchen), female underwear was in the house, another female’s driver’s license was found in the house, half-eaten food was on the kitchen counters, and food was scattered throughout the house. The officer noted that it looked like multiple people had been burglarizing the house.

The property damage was estimated at $235, and the food was valued at $70.

The victim said he did not know Smith and that she had no lawful reason to be in his house.

Smith has been charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling, petit theft, and property damage under $200. She has no criminal history, and Judge Kristine Van Vorst set bail at $12,500, with bail waived if she is screened and accepted for electronic monitoring.

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.