Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Pierre Lavon Williams, 35, was arrested yesterday on a warrant for allegedly robbing a man at gunpoint; he is on pre-trial release in four previous cases and faces a Notice to Appear and a sworn complaint in two additional cases.

At about 10:15 p.m. on September 9, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to the 1500 block of NE 23rd Avenue, where the victim said he heard Williams yell out his name while he was riding his electric scooter along NE 23rd Avenue.

The victim said he went to talk to Williams because he knew him, and while they were talking, Williams pulled out a black Glock handgun and pointed it at his face. He said Williams told him, “If you don’t want to die, give me the necklace.” He said he gave his necklace to Williams, and Williams also took his electric scooter.

The officer reported that a man matching the description of the robber could be seen on surveillance video at the Sunrise Food Mart (1542 NE 23rd Avenue) at about 9:30 p.m., and then at 9:46 p.m., the victim could be seen standing in front of the adjacent liquor store with an electric scooter, wearing a gold necklace. At about 9:50 p.m., both the victim and the other man can be seen together outside the store, and then the victim left at about 10:07 p.m., still in possession of his scooter and necklace. At about 10:15 p.m., the other man can be seen heading in the same direction the victim went, and at about 10:20 p.m., the victim can be seen walking back to the store without his scooter and necklace.

The victim said he believes Williams is homeless, and the officer reported that he was unable to locate Williams, so he filed a sworn complaint.

Williams has been charged with armed robbery. He has 12 felony convictions (non-violent) and 12 misdemeanor convictions (two violent), and he has served four state prison sentences, with his most recent release in June 2023.

Williams is on pre-trial release following a January 12 incident that preceded the arrest of Javon Reshard Myhand. That investigation began when Myhand called 911 to report that he had been robbed. Myhand reportedly said Williams had come to his room at the Baymont Inn with a gun, forcing his way in and stealing $3,500 in cash from the desk drawer. Myhand said Williams had his gun in his hand and threatened to kill him; he said that after taking the money, Williams fled in a black sedan. He is also
Williams is also on pre-trial release for shoplifting over $2,000 in items from the Polo Ralph Lauren store at Celebration Pointe in May, and he was arrested in August for allegedly violating pre-trial release conditions in a domestic battery case. In all, he is facing charges in six other cases.

Judge Meshon Rawls ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.

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.