Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jabriel Malik Payton, 20, was arrested last night and charged with property damage after causing over $1,000 in damage to the Bella Vista Village pool by dumping pool furniture and a full trash can into the pool.

On September 29, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to Bella Vista Village (110 NW 39th Avenue), where the management reported that Payton had caused over $1,000 in damage to the pool.

The officer reported that video surveillance showed Payton jumping the fence into the pool area at about 11:34 p.m. on September 28 and throwing pool furniture into the pool. He also allegedly dragged a trash can into the pool, spilling all the contents into the pool, including broken glass bottles, requiring the pool to be professionally drained and cleaned.

An employee of the complex told an officer that management had made contact with Payton on September 29 in one of their units, and he had admitted to damaging the pool.

The officer went to that unit, where Payton reportedly told officers he had gotten drunk with neighbors, and when he got home, his girlfriend became upset and told him to leave. He said he walked around the complex and ended up at the pool. He reportedly said he knew he had damaged the pool and said he was prepared to take full responsibility for his actions.

Post Miranda, Payton reportedly confirmed those statements and said he knowingly damaged the pool because he was upset.

Payton, whose address is listed as Jacksonville, told Court Services he has been in the area for about two months. He has been charged with felony property damage. He has a juvenile conviction from 2021 but no adult criminal history. Judge Jonathan Ramsey ordered him released on his own recognizance.

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.