Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Duard Augustus Benson III, 58, was arrested yesterday after allegedly pulling a knife on a Walmart Loss Prevention Officer who tried to stop him from shoplifting and then pointing the knife at a police officer who was trying to arrest him.

At about 2 p.m. on July 12, a Gainesville Police Department officer was at the northwest Walmart, investigating a previous theft, when the Loss Prevention Officer (LPO) notified him about a separate incident involving someone in the store.

The officer reported that he watched the suspect conceal multiple packs of meat (valued at $233) in a bag and then walk toward the garden exit. The LPO told the officer he would try to stop the suspect, and the officer waited outside the store in his marked patrol vehicle.

The LPO reportedly identified himself to Benson and tried to take the merchandise back, but Benson allegedly pulled the bag back and simultaneously pulled out a pocket knife and pointed it at the LPO. The LPO, in fear for his life, backed away, and the officer, who reported that he saw Benson leave the store without paying for the merchandise, activated his lights and sirens and drove toward Benson, who allegedly fled on foot.

After a brief foot chase, the officer tried to tackle Benson, but Benson allegedly turned around and pointed the pocket knife at the officer in a fighting stance. The officer reported that Benson lunged at him with the knife, and he pushed Benson away and drew his firearm; Benson allegedly ran again, still holding the knife.

After another brief foot chase, the officer deployed his taser, and Benson fell to the ground at the Circle K on NW 34th Boulevard. Benson allegedly kept trying to get back up, and the officer reportedly kicked his knife away from him.

The officer reported that his taser was not functioning properly and that Benson “caught on” to that, got back on his feet, and assumed a fighting stance. The officer reportedly tackled him to the ground and detained him.

A witness who had been inside Walmart reportedly saw the entire incident and said that he saw the LPO follow Benson out the garden exit door and then saw Benson run away from the police officer; the witness said the officer identified himself, but Benson fled, anyway.

Benson has been charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting an officer with violence, and petit theft with two or more prior convictions, all felonies. He has 14 felony convictions (two violent) and eight misdemeanor convictions (one violent); he has served six state prison sentences, with his most recent release in June 2024. Judge Gloria Walker 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.