Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A’niaus Devaraus Ray, 33, of Jacksonville, was arrested early Sunday morning for two incidents, about 20 minutes apart, of doing donuts in the 1000 block of W. University Avenue at 2 a.m., with heavy traffic due to bar closings.

A Gainesville Police Department officer reported that Ray was identified as the driver of a vehicle doing “vehicle burnouts/donuts” in the roadway; this “involves a rapid exhibition of acceleration coupled with a decreased ability to control the vehicle.”

Officers reportedly saw Ray doing donuts twice within 20 minutes in the same crowded pedestrian area; they noted the first three characters of his tag during the first incident, and when he was stopped after the second incident, his tag had the same first three characters.

Officers also noted that Ray’s car is distinctive because it is orange and has a large decal of a tiger that extends across the length of the vehicle.

Post Miranda, Ray reportedly denied doing burnouts/donuts or operating the vehicle in a reckless mannger.

Ray has been charged with two counts of racing on a public road, both misdemeanors. His address is listed as Lake City on the arrest report, but a court document indicates that he told Court Services he lives in Jacksonville. Ray has two felony convictions (two violent) and two misdemeanor convictions (one violent); he has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in June 2024. Judge Mitchell Bishop set bail at $1,000.

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.