GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Luke Michael Lattin, 25, is facing armed trespassing and property-damage charges after authorities say he entered a restricted section of Alachua County Animal Resources, cut through multiple locks and removed his dog from a kennel. Lattin has remained in the Alachua County Jail since July, when he was accused of breaking into a construction site. He now also faces a felony property-damage charge related to alleged incidents inside the jail.
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office investigation began with an incident reported July 10 at Alachua County Animal Services, located at 3400 NE 53rd Avenue. According to the arrest report, Lattin arrived and asked to see his dog. An employee told him he had to remain in the lobby until a staff member could accompany him into the secured area, and Lattin initially complied.
A second employee later escorted Lattin to the kennel. Lattin asked that the kennel be opened so he could take the dog out, but the employee reportedly said he was not authorized to release the animal. The employee then accompanied Lattin back to the lobby. The report does not explain why the dog could not be released at that time.
Investigators say Lattin waited until the employees had left the lobby before using a knife to cut through two locks and enter the restricted area. At the kennel, he allegedly used the knife again, damaging the lock and forcing open the gate before taking the dog. Authorities say he then left the secured section and headed toward the parking lot with the animal.
A witness in the parking lot reportedly saw Lattin walking the dog without a leash and attempted to get his attention. When the witness asked him to leash the animal, Lattin allegedly turned around and displayed the knife he was carrying.
A shelter employee and the parking-lot witness both reportedly identified Lattin as the individual they saw inside the facility and outside with the dog.
The animal shelter case resulted in charges of armed trespassing and misdemeanor property damage.
Lattin was arrested July 15 after a Gainesville Police Department officer allegedly spotted him inside a fenced construction area at Butler Plaza. The officer reported that Lattin appeared to be attempting to enter a building and ran deeper into the site after being told to stop. Officers eventually took him into custody and reportedly found a lock-picking kit during a search following the arrest.
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In that case, Lattin was charged with burglary of an unoccupied structure, resisting an officer without violence and possession of burglary tools.
A separate investigation at the Alachua County Jail began August 1. Jail surveillance video allegedly showed Lattin crouching near his cell door frame before standing a short time later with a small piece of metal in his hand. Officers later determined that part of the door frame had been damaged and that a section was missing.
The following day, August 2, surveillance footage reportedly captured Lattin holding the same piece of metal and moving toward the cell camera. He allegedly reached toward the device and scratched its protective lens cover. Damage to the door frame and camera was estimated at approximately $1,000.
Lattin has been charged with felony property damage in connection with the alleged damage at the jail.
Court records indicate that Lattin has no prior criminal convictions. Judges have set bail at $55,000 in the original burglary case, $50,000 for the alleged jail property damage and $30,000 in connection with the animal shelter incident.