Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Joseph Colin Barnes, 24, was arrested yesterday after allegedly trying to snatch a bicycle from a man walking past him on Newberry Road near NW 43rd Street and telling the victim he had a gun.

At about 1:30 p.m. on January 24, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to a report of an attempted bike theft near the intersection of W. Newberry Road and NW 43rd Street. The victim said he was pushing his bicycle past a man when the man grabbed his bicycle and tried to snatch it from him while saying, “Give me your bike.” The victim said that when he refused, the man said, “Give me your bike, I have a gun.” The victim said he was in fear for his life, rode away from the man, and called 911.

The man was later identified as Barnes and arrested about an hour later in the same area; no gun was located. Post Miranda, Barnes declined to answer any questions.

Barnes has been charged with attempted armed robbery. His listed address is in West Palm Beach, and he has no criminal history in Alachua County. He was convicted of domestic battery in March 2023 in Brevard County and ordered to find an alternate residence; he successfully completed 12 months of probation in March 2024. Judge James Colaw set bail at $25,000.

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.