Staff report

WALDO, Fla. – Authorities apprehended Charlie Paul Hill, 69, on Monday following the discovery of pilfered scooters at an unoccupied property in Waldo. Investigations revealed Hill had been squatting on the premises for roughly a month without consent.

On October 20, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office was requested by the Gainesville Police Department to investigate the vicinity of NE 139th Terrace. This was after GPS trackers indicated the presence of two stolen scooters in the area. A deputy arrived at the scene, noticing a yellow Moped, blue tents, and various scattered belongings at a location within the 13900 block of NE 148th Avenue. Contacting the property owner, the deputy learned that no one had permission to use the site or enter the home.

Hill was discovered inside the house and subsequently taken into custody.

After being read his rights, Hill allegedly confessed that someone in Waldo had left a red Moped with him, which he knew was stolen. The deputy noted that the scooter seemed “hotwired.” Hill also claimed to have bought the yellow Moped from another individual in Waldo for $10, admitting uncertainty about its origins but acknowledging it “could have been” stolen. Both vehicles had been reported missing in Gainesville.

Hill also reportedly admitted that he knew he did not have permission to stay at the house, but he attempted to justify his presence by saying he was going to clean up the property.

A search of the property reportedly produced several baggies under Hill’s bed; one had less than a gram of fentanyl, and the others contained less than a gram of methamphetamine. Two cylindrical tubes, typically used for consuming narcotics, were also reportedly found.

Hill reportedly denied knowing anything about methamphetamine under his bed, but the deputy noted that he seemed nervous and “rapidly changed the subject.”

Detectives are investigating whether other bicycles and scooters on the property were stolen.

Hill has been charged with burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, two counts of dealing in stolen property, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has 32 felony convictions (three violent) and five misdemeanor convictions (non-violent) and has served four state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2021. Senior Judge Bo Bayer set bail at $600,000.

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.