Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Douglas Scott Sears, 54, was arrested yesterday and charged with grand theft of a scooter, possession of MDPV and marijuana with intent to sell, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The owner of the scooter reported the theft from the parking lot of The Ridge at Gainesville on December 7, and Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers reportedly found video footage from traffic cameras that showed Sears riding the scooter on multiple occasions, including on December 9 and December 11. In each video, Sears reportedly wore a Super Mario backpack.

GPD officers reportedly saw Sears standing in front of a home near the intersection of NW 23rd Avenue and NW 13th Street; the officers reported that Sears seemed dismayed by their presence and reached down to the ground, where a Super Mario backpack was reportedly found. The scooter was reportedly found at the home, and the resident of the home reportedly told officers that Sears had recently arrived on the scooter, carrying the backpack.

Sears reportedly denied knowing anything about the scooter or the backpack.

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Officers reported that a strong odor of marijuana was coming from the backpack, and a probable cause search reportedly produced 10 baggies containing a total of 6 grams of MDPV, four sandwich bags of marijuana totaling 24.7 grams, empty baggies, a glass pipe with white residue, and a digital scale.

Post Miranda, Sears reportedly admitted he had ridden the scooter but said he was test-driving it before possibly purchasing it. He reportedly denied knowledge of the drugs.

Sears has seven felony convictions (one violent) and 20 misdemeanor convictions (one violent). He has served three state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2021. Judge Mark Moseley set bail at $47,000.

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.