Staff Report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the early hours today, authorities arrested 23-year-old Joseph Harold Wiggs following accusations that he assaulted a man, damaged his vehicle, and obstructed his attempts to call 911.

According to a report from the Gainesville Police Department, the incident unfolded around 12:03 a.m. on December 8 at Fred Cone Park. Wiggs and the victim had arranged to meet there for a conversation. Once inside the victim’s car, Wiggs allegedly seized the victim’s phone and exited the vehicle, purportedly to delete content from it. When the victim attempted to contact emergency services using his Tesla, Wiggs reportedly intercepted the calls, disconnecting them before they could go through.

As the victim distanced himself from the vehicle, Wiggs allegedly returned to the Tesla and began kicking it, causing damage to the rearview mirror and interior panels. It is reported that Wiggs demanded the victim re-enter the car, and when the victim reached for his phone, Wiggs allegedly struck him with a closed fist. Subsequently, Wiggs tossed the phone back into the car and fled the scene on foot.

Police later found Wiggs at his residence. Initially, he denied knowing the victim and claimed to have been home throughout the night. However, he later altered his account, admitting that he had met the victim to talk. He acknowledged an argument occurred but insisted it never became physical, stating he walked home following their disagreement.

Post Miranda, Wiggs reportedly said the victim hit him during their argument, so he walked away. He denied snatching the victim’s phone, hanging up the 911 calls, or damaging the victim’s car, but after he was told that Teslas collect surveillance video, he reportedly admitted to taking the phone but said he picked it up from the center console. He said he left but returned to give the victim his phone; he still denied hanging up the 911 calls, damaging the car, or hitting the victim.

The officer reported that neither man had any obvious injuries. The victim estimated that the damage to his car was about $1,000.

Wiggs, a Violent Felony Offender of Special Concern who is on probation for threatening to shoot a woman and kicking a police officer, has been charged with preventing communication with 911 services, burglary of an unoccupied vehicle, robbery by sudden snatching, and battery. He has three felony convictions (three violent) and two misdemeanor convictions (one violent). Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $180,000.

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.