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Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Bradley Wells Miller, 54, was arrested yesterday and charged with felony petit theft (third or subsequent offense), inhaling harmful chemicals, and providing false identification information to law enforcement after allegedly stealing over 60 cans of compressed air from Walmart over three days.
A Gainesville Police Department officer responded to the Walmart in Butler Plaza at about 9:30 a.m. yesterday after the store reported that Miller had shoplifted 23 items, including five 2-packs of compressed air. The store’s Loss Prevention Officer (LPO) reportedly stopped Miller at the exit and recovered some of the items, but the store reported that the stolen items were valued at $306.50. The responding officer reportedly found Miller along the side of the building and watched him inhale from a can of compressed air.
After the officer detained him, Miller reportedly said his name was Gabriel Graves and gave a fake birthdate; he later provided his real name and social security number, enabling law enforcement to identify him.
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Post Miranda, he reportedly said the false name was the first one that came to his mind; he admitted stealing the items and said he inhales compressed air because he is homeless and depressed.
While investigating that incident, the LPO told the officer that Miller had stolen 54 cans of compressed air on July 6 and July 7. The value of the stolen items was reportedly $405.28.
Miller has one felony conviction (none violent) and five misdemeanor convictions (none violent). He served an 18-month prison sentence for leaving the scene of a crash with injury in Alachua County and was released in 2007. Bail information is unavailable on weekends.
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.
