Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Edward Charles Ellington, 29, was arrested yesterday and charged with property damage over $1,000 after allegedly cutting a fence at GRACE Marketplace.

At about 3:20 p.m. on April 16, a staff member at GRACE Marketplace (3055 NE 28th Drive) reportedly saw Ellington in the area of the fence but did not know at that time that the fence had been cut.

The damage to the fence, which had recently been repaired, was discovered the next morning, and staff members reviewed surveillance video that reportedly showed Ellington cutting the fence with bolt cutters. Staff members were reportedly familiar with Ellington, “due to seeing him every day.” The damage to the fence was estimated at about $1,000.

Ellington was arrested at GRACE Marketplace yesterday.

Post Miranda, Ellington reportedly admitted to cutting the chain link fence and said it was because he wanted to help handicapped people access GRACE more easily.

Ellington has been charged with property damage over $1,000. He has six felony convictions (non-violent) and eight misdemeanor convictions (non-violent); he has served two state prison sentences for cases out of Alachua County, with his most recent release in February 2023. Judge William Davis set bail at $10,000 and ordered him trespassed from GRACE Marketplace.

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.