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By Staff
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities apprehended 25-year-old Anthony Quinn Lockhart Jr. yesterday on suspicion of trying to unlawfully enter an occupied residence.
Around 3:01 p.m. on May 7, a man was captured by a doorbell camera at an apartment in The Oaks complex (6519 W. Newberry Road). He was seen quietly and deliberately attempting to turn the doorknob while a woman was inside alone. After discovering the door was locked, he left the scene.
The individual appeared unaware of the doorbell camera’s presence as he made his silent approach and tried the doorknob without knocking or ringing. Upon departing, he briefly stared into the camera.
The residents, upon receiving an alert from the doorbell system and not recognizing the man, contacted the police. The woman inside expressed fear, being alone during the incident, and both occupants reported feeling disturbed and struggling to sleep following the encounter.
The responding Gainesville Police Department officer reported that the suspect was wearing a teal-colored sweater with a distinct leopard print.
Facial recognition software matched the video from the doorbell with Lockhart’s face; he does not have a listed address and is considered to be homeless, but on May 8, Lockhart was spotted driving out of an apartment complex in the 4100 block of SW 20th Avenue, although he does not have a valid driver’s license. An officer reported that a teal sweater with a leopard print was found on the seat of the car.
Post Miranda, Lockhart reportedly admitted to pulling the door handle and asked if he could apologize to the victim. He also reportedly said he went to The Oaks to meet up with somebody to buy weed, and that person was supposed to leave the door open for him. However, the officer noted that his actions do not align with his story because he tried very slowly to turn the door handle, which is not normal for someone who expects the door to be open; he turned the door handle so quietly that the victim did not hear it, although she was nearby; he never knocked when he found that the door was locked; he walked away immediately instead of waiting for the person he was supposed to meet; and the doors are clearly marked with apartment numbers, so it seems unlikely that he accidentally went to the wrong apartment.
Lockhart reportedly had no response to these points and asked again if he could apologize to the victims.
The detective reported that GPD is following up with other residents of The Oaks who have doorbell cameras, to see if Lockhart went to other apartments. Also, an officer showed the doorbell video to a landscaper who was working in the area, and he reportedly said he “definitely” saw Lockhart walking around the apartment complex around 2 p.m., an hour before the reported incident.
When Lockhart was asked if he would be shown on other doorbell cameras, he reportedly “became very concerned” and thought about his answer before saying he had been in the complex for about an hour, but he only tested one door handle. He was also unable to provide any information about the person he claimed to be visiting at The Oaks.
Lockhart has been charged with attempted burglary of an occupied dwelling and driving with a suspended license. He has six felony convictions (four for burglary), two misdemeanor convictions (non-violent), and one criminal traffic conviction; he has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2022. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $52,000.
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