Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Otis Edison Clements III, 44, was arrested yesterday and charged with burglary of an occupied vehicle and battery after allegedly attacking a man who accidentally hit his car in a parking lot.

At about 6 p.m. on Saturday, the victim accidentally backed his car into Clements’ car while it was parked in front of Kelly’s Quik Stop at 2410 SW 34th Street. They reportedly exchanged information, but the victim told a responding Gainesville Police Department officer that Clements became more and more upset. The victim said he offered Clements $100 for the damages, but Clements did not think it was enough.

The victim said he entered the passenger front seat of his car, and Clements followed him, reaching into his car without permission and punching him in the face.

The officer reported that store surveillance video corroborated the victim’s account of the incident. An employee of the store reportedly went outside after hearing the commotion and told the officer she saw Clements punching the victim and then grabbing the victim by the neck. The witness reportedly gave the officer the tag number of Clements’ car, and the officer made contact with Clement at his home.

Post Miranda, Clements reportedly said there had been a crash and that he had taken photos of the victim’s ID and insurance card; however, he denied touching the victim.

Clements has at least 20 felonies (one violent) and 15 misdemeanors (four violent). He has served four state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2018; all offenses were in Alachua County.

Clements has been released from the jail; documents with bail information are not posted 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.