Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jalen Michael Christopher Hutchinson, 29, was arrested last night and charged with battery, false imprisonment, fleeing at high speed, causing harm to a K-9, resisting arrest without violence, marijuana possession, and driving without a valid license after fleeing deputies at high speed through the Buckingham South neighborhood.

Multiple 911 calls were received at about 8 p.m. last night, reporting that a man was beating up a woman, dragging her through the street, and threatening to shoot her. An Alachua County Sheriff’s Office K-9 team arrived, and witnesses pointed to a blue Hyundai that quickly drove away. The deputy attempted a traffic stop, but the Hyundai drove through the neighborhood at high speed, making multiple turns. At one point, a woman reportedly “flew out of the vehicle” from the passenger side and rolled in the roadway. The pursuit continued until the Hyundai crashed at the intersection of NW 4th Place and NW 88th Terrace. The deputy reported that many people in the neighborhood were outside and were endangered by Hutchinson’s disregard for their safety while fleeing.

After the crash, the driver, later identified as Hutchinson, allegedly got out of the car and continued fleeing on foot. After the deputy gave multiple verbal commands to stop, K-9 Taz was deployed and eventually apprehended Hutchinson by biting his hand/wrist and taking him to the ground. While on the ground, Hutchinson allegedly covered K-9 Taz’s snout with his other hand in an effort to escape.

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Witnesses reportedly told deputies that the woman and Hutchinson had been arguing and that the woman had knocked on a door, asking for help, but then said she did not need help and walked away. Another witness said they saw Hutchinson dragging the woman across the road and forcing her into the back seat of the Hyundai. The woman reportedly had numerous scrapes all over her body.

Hutchinson has juvenile convictions spanning 2004-2011, one adult felony conviction (none violent), and seven adult misdemeanor convictions (two violent). He had two outstanding warrants (one from 2020, one from 2021) for violating pre-trial release conditions in a domestic battery case and for violating the conditions of probation in the same case. He also has two active out-of-state warrants.

Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $192,500 on the current charges, $10,000 on the warrant for violation of probation, and $2,500 on the warrant for violation of pre-trial release conditions.

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.