Share and Follow
By Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the early hours of this morning, 47-year-old Shamera Leonada Lawrence found herself in police custody following an alleged act of vandalism at a local apartment complex. The incident unfolded at the Oak Park complex, managed by the Gainesville Housing Authority, where Lawrence reportedly shattered a window after being evicted from the premises.
According to a report by the Gainesville Police Department, officers were dispatched to the scene around 1:37 a.m. on March 30. A witness recounted hearing a disturbance and upon investigation, observed Lawrence wielding a yellow object to break an apartment window.
When law enforcement arrived, they discovered Lawrence asleep beside the damaged window, surrounded by broken glass. In her statement, Lawrence explained she was merely attempting to re-enter the apartment.
Following her arrest and after being read her Miranda rights, Lawrence elaborated on the situation. She claimed that a resident had previously allowed her to stay in the apartment for the past few days. However, she was subsequently expelled and her key confiscated. In a fit of frustration over her prolonged efforts to gain entry, Lawrence admitted to using a yellow “wet floor” sign to break the window. She also mentioned using a new “rock” form of melatonin, purportedly to aid her sleep.
The officer noted that there was a yellow “wet floor” sign near the broken window, and the approximate value of the broken window was $250.
A search incident to arrest reportedly produced a glass pipe with burnt residue.
Lawrence has been charged with misdemeanor property damage and possession of drug paraphernalia. She has no criminal convictions, but she was released from the Alachua County Jail on March 18 after being arrested for two trespassing incidents at the Oak Park complex. Judge Adam Lee set bail at $45,000.
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.