Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Brandon Michael Griffith, 34, was arrested yesterday on three felony charges and three misdemeanor charges after a chase across the UF campus.

At about 5:55 p.m. on March 21, two University of Florida Police Department officers saw Griffith pushing a bicycle on campus; one officer recognized him from a previous trespassing incident and also recalled a situational awareness bulletin about him.

The officers reported that Griffith crossed against the light and was wearing headphones that covered both ears; they attempted a traffic stop in front of Honors Village (1512 Museum Road), but Griffith allegedly kept riding eastbound on Museum Road. When an officer turned on the patrol vehicle’s siren, Griffith allegedly turned and rode through the field south of Cypress Hall, causing the officers to discontinue pursuit in accordance with UFPD policy.

The officers turned left onto SW 13th Street and saw Griffith running eastbound across SW 13th Street near Norman Field, where the officers pursued him on foot. Griffith reportedly stopped running, put both hands in the air, and was arrested.

A records check found that Griffith was trespassed from campus for three years in January 2024 and that he had two active local warrants for violating probation, along with active warrants from Tallahassee and Georgia.

A search incident to arrest reportedly produced a small bulb-shaped glass stem, about 2 grams of a white substance that tested positive for methamphetamine, about one gram of small pink pills that tested positive for methamphetamine, a headlamp, butane, pliers, a Dremel saw, allen wrenches, a digital scale, and a $900 check made out to Griffith for lawn service.

Post Miranda, Griffith reportedly said the white substance was methamphetamine and he thought the pink pills were “ecstasy.” He also reportedly said he uses the scale to weigh narcotics when he purchases them for his personal use and said all the other items were his.

Griffith has been charged with fleeing and eluding, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of burglary tools with intent to use them, trespassing after a warning, resisting an officer without violence, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Griffith was arrested last July for stealing over $700 in items from JC Penney and $328 in items from Home Depot and was sentenced to six months in jail, followed by three years of probation. He was released in January and reported to his probation officer in February but failed to report in March. His probation officer reported that Griffith had moved from his residence at GRACE Marketplace without providing a new address, and warrants for his arrest were issued in both cases.

A sworn complaint was filed against Griffith in February for stealing an e-scooter on campus on February 3 and trespassing after a warning, but he has not been booked on that charge.

Griffith has 15 felony convictions (none violent) and eight misdemeanor convictions (none violent); he has served four state prison sentences and was last released in April 2021. He is currently on probation in two cases. Judge Adam Lee set bail at $75,000.

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.