Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Michael Anthony James, 59, was arrested yesterday and charged with attempted armed robbery and aggravated battery after allegedly trying to rob a GRACE Marketplace resident at knifepoint and stabbing another resident who tried to intervene.

At about 5:54 p.m., a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to a call about a fight between residents at GRACE Marketplace (3055 NE 28th Dr.).

The first victim reportedly told the officer that he had been sitting on the curb outside the gate of GRACE Marketplace when James approached; he said it was clear that James was intoxicated. He said James demanded money that he said the victim owed him, but the victim said he did not know James and did not owe him any money. The victim said James became more belligerent and kept saying the victim owed him money; James allegedly moved toward the victim in a confrontational manner, produced a pocket knife, and began to struggle with the victim, including kicking him in the forehead and body.

The second victim reportedly told the officer that he was sitting near the first victim and saw the argument; he said he tried to de-escalate the situation and saw James produce the knife. He said he tried to disarm James and was cut during the struggle. The officer reported that the second victim sustained a large laceration to his forearm.

Post Miranda, James reportedly declined to answer any questions. A search incident to arrest reportedly produced a folded pocket knife in his pocket and a baggie with a white powdery substance that produced inconclusive results in tests for cocaine and MDPV.

While being transported to the jail, James reportedly made multiple statements about the second victim pulling a knife on him, which was why he pulled out his knife.

A witness reportedly told the officer that he saw James enter the outer gated area of GRACE Marketplace and confront the first victim about money he was owed. He said he saw James start a physical fight with the first victim and saw the second victim jump in to break it up. He did not say he saw the second victim with any weapon at any time.

The officer reported that none of the other residents in the area came forward with any information, and the area is not covered by surveillance cameras.

James has 13 felony convictions (four violent) and 10 misdemeanor convictions (two violent). He has served five state prison sentences, all out of Miami-Dade County, with his most recent release in 2007. Judge Adam Lee ordered him held without bail.

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.