Reported by Staff

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A young man from Newberry, identified as 20-year-old Kendall James Dacosta, found himself in handcuffs yesterday after an alleged high-stakes attempt to elude law enforcement on a motorcycle without a license plate. The incident took a concerning turn when a subsequent search revealed a gun reportedly stolen from Miami Gardens.

The unfolding drama began around 7:46 a.m. on November 4, when a Florida Highway Patrol trooper spotted a motorcycle navigating the sidewalk along NW 39th Avenue, between NW 34th Street and NW 43rd Street. At that time, the area was congested due to a collision at the busy intersection of NW 39th Avenue and NW 34th Street.

As the trooper attempted to approach the individual on the motorcycle, the rider allegedly left the sidewalk and merged onto the roadway. With no visible tag on the motorcycle, the trooper signaled for the motorcyclist to pull over, activating his lights and sirens. Instead of complying, the motorcyclist reportedly maneuvered across lanes of halted traffic and drove onto the median, eventually coming to a stop only when traffic conditions left him no other choice.

Upon arresting the suspect, identified as Dacosta, the trooper discovered Dacosta carrying a handgun tucked into his waistband. Further investigation revealed that the firearm had been reported stolen from Miami Gardens, adding another layer of gravity to the charges against him.

Dacosta has been charged with grand theft of a firearm with a previous conviction for grand theft of a firearm, fleeing with lights and sirens activated, and operating an unregistered motor vehicle; he was also cited for driving on the sidewalk. He has an unspecified juvenile conviction from 2022 and one adult conviction in a traffic case. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $26,000.

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.