Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Vanessa Monique Mims, 31, was arrested yesterday after allegedly snatching a phone from a man sitting at a bus stop. Mims was found incompetent to stand trial 18 days ago and released to outpatient mental health treatment.

At about 6:33 p.m. yesterday, Mims allegedly walked up to a man sitting on a bench at the Rosa Parks bus stop (700 SE 3rd Street), yelled at him, and snatched his phone.

The victim told the responding Gainesville Police Department officer that Mims just walked up to him and started yelling at him about money and that he never spoke to her. He said his phone was in his hand, and Mims snatched it from him and left.

A witness reportedly told the officer that she was sitting across from the victim and could not hear what was being said, but she saw Mims snatch the victim’s phone and leave.

Mims reportedly did not have the phone when she was located. Post Miranda, she declined to answer any questions.

Mims has been charged with robbery by sudden snatching.

Mims, whose address is listed as GRACE Marketplace, was arrested in April for allegedly stealing a suitcase worth $250 from a gift shop at UF Health Shands. She was found mentally incompetent to proceed, and Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered her to be released on her own recognizance with a long list of conditions, including compliance with a mental health treatment plan and not breaking any laws.

Judge Donna Keim set bail at $1,000.

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.