Staff report

HAWTHORNE, Fla. – Samuel Kirtan Shinkman, 31, was arrested yesterday in Hawthorne in a car that had been stolen from the McDonald’s on East University Avenue in Gainesville.

At about 2 p.m. on May 4, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a call about a vehicle swerving in and out of traffic in the 6100 block of U.S. Hwy 301 in Hawthorne. The deputy found the vehicle, a maroon Kia, followed it into the parking lot of Hawthorne Square (6005 SE U.S. Hwy 301), and detained Shinkman, the driver.

Post Miranda, Shinkman reportedly admitted that he had taken the vehicle at about 6 a.m. that day from a “friend,” but he couldn’t remember the friend’s name; he said he “took” the vehicle from the McDonald’s on University Avenue.

Shinkman has been charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle. He has 12 felony convictions (four violent) and seven misdemeanor convictions (non-violent); he has served one state prison sentence and was released in February 2025. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $25,000 and ordered a mental health evaluation.

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.