Staff Report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the early hours today, authorities apprehended Aamir Jalil Sims, 30, from Gainesville, and Irving Enrique Vinales-Soto, 59, from Hawthorne. Vinales-Soto is accused of breaking into a residence to steal cash and a pickup truck, while Sims, currently on probation, was found with cocaine during a traffic stop in the stolen vehicle.

At approximately 2:15 a.m. on November 8, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to a residence south of Hawthorne after a reported break-in. The homeowner alleged that Vinales-Soto had forcibly entered by pounding on a door with a pistol. Vinales-Soto had been romantically involved with a woman who worked and occasionally stayed at the residence.

According to the victim, Vinales-Soto repeatedly demanded to see the woman while brandishing a pistol. He allegedly coerced the victim into handing over around $500, subsequently seizing the victim’s car keys before fleeing in the pickup truck.

Roughly at 3:55 a.m., a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper, with support from Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies, conducted a traffic stop on the stolen truck. Sims, found behind the wheel, was detained. It was discovered that his driver’s license had been suspended since September. During the vehicle search, officers reportedly found approximately 4.9 grams of crack cocaine in a baggie at Sims’ feet.

Vinales-Soto was reportedly in the passenger seat of the truck and allegedly fled on foot from the traffic stop before being apprehended. A search incident to arrest reportedly produced about 2.8 grams of cocaine.

Post Miranda, Vinales-Soto reportedly admitted to entering the victim’s home by force, grabbing the victim’s keys, fleeing in the victim’s vehicle, and possessing “crack.”

Sims has been charged with cocaine possession and driving with a suspended driver’s license after a previous conviction for driving without a valid license. He has two felony convictions (non-violent) and is on probation for dealing in stolen property. Judge Denise Ferrero set bail at $7,500.

Vinales-Soto has been charged with armed home invasion robbery, aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony, grand theft of a motor vehicle, and cocaine possession. He has no local criminal history, and his bail will be set on Sunday.

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.