Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a recent incident, 36-year-old Joshuia Bernard Jenkins has been charged with burglary, theft, and property damage. Jenkins reportedly took items from a Publix store from which he had previously been banned. Additionally, he is accused of damaging a patrol vehicle by kicking it, resulting in $250 worth of damage.
The events unfolded on the morning of July 1, around 7:23 a.m. A Publix employee spotted Jenkins holding a store shopping bag filled with assorted electronic items, which were later valued at $89.48. Noticing Jenkins bypassing the checkout lanes without making a payment, the employee informed him, “You have to pay for that.”
Jenkins reportedly ignored the employee’s request and exited the store. The employee, familiar with Jenkins due to previous encounters, relayed this information to a Gainesville Police Department officer. The officer noted that Jenkins had been previously warned that reentry to the property would lead to his arrest.
The situation escalated when an officer later located Jenkins walking along NW 6th Avenue near NW 13th Street. While attempting to detain Jenkins, he allegedly kicked the officer’s patrol car, inflicting approximately $250 in damages. At the time of apprehension, Jenkins was still in possession of the Publix bag containing the electronics and matched the description in the store’s surveillance footage.
Jenkins reportedly asked, “Why do you have to take me to jail for something so petty?… It was only like 50-something dollars.”
Post Miranda, Jenkins reportedly did not want to answer any questions.
Jenkins has been charged with burglary of an occupied structure, felony petit theft with previous theft convictions, and felony property damage. He has 10 felony convictions (two violent) and 24 misdemeanor convictions (five violent) and has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2021; he was arrested in April for indecent exposure, but the charge was reduced to disturbing the peace, and Jenkins served 40 days in jail after entering a plea of nolo contendere to the charge.
Judge Joy Danne set bail at $17,500.
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.