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Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the early hours of today, authorities apprehended three 19-year-olds: Kouvaris Lamar Roberts, Jordan Tyreek Welch, and Demetrick Dion Williams. The trio faces charges for allegedly stealing ammunition from Bass Pro Shops on Friday, April 24. Notably, both Roberts and Welch were already on probation at the time of the incident.
On April 25, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived at Bass Pro Shops, located at 2650 Bass Pro Boulevard, after the store’s Loss Prevention Officer (LPO) reported two separate theft incidents that had occurred the previous day.
According to the report, around 4:30 p.m. on April 24, four individuals entered the store and proceeded to the ammunition section. One of them, later identified as Welch, picked up two boxes of Hornady 9mm bullets, together valued at $55.98. Surveillance footage allegedly captured Welch passing the boxes to Williams, who then discreetly slipped them into his front pocket. Meanwhile, Welch positioned himself to block the view of Williams’s actions. Both Welch and Williams were seen bypassing the checkout area and exiting the store without paying, with a noticeable bulge in Welch’s front pants pocket, which he covered with his hand.
The LPO utilized facial recognition software to identify Welch and Williams, while a deputy independently verified their identities through law enforcement databases.
At about 6 p.m. on April 24, Roberts allegedly arrived at Bass Pro Shops in a red Honda, entered the store, walked to the ammunition aisle, and selected two boxes of S&W .40 cal Federal Syntech bullets, valued at $55.98. Surveillance video reportedly shows Roberts placing the boxes in his pockets after walking to another aisle, and then he can be seen leaving the store with a bulge in his front pocket.
The LPO used facial recognition software to identify Roberts, and the deputy independently confirmed his identity using law enforcement databases. The three men were arrested at their residences between 3:05 a.m. and 3:27 a.m. this morning.
Roberts has been charged with theft. He has one felony conviction, for unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon, and he is on probation in that case. Judge George Wright set bail at $5,000; Roberts has not yet been charged with violating probation.
Last June, Welch was arrested for attempted homicide after a suspected gang-related shooting at The Grove at Sweetwater Preserve. The attempted homicide charge was eventually dropped, and a formal charge of accessory after the fact to second-degree murder was filed. Welch entered a plea of nolo contendere to that charge, which carries a prison sentence of 15 years, according to the plea document, and Judge Robert Groeb withheld adjudication of guilt and sentenced Welch to 180 days in jail, with credit for 119 days served, followed by three years of probation.
Welch has been charged with theft. He has one felony conviction (described in the paragraph above) and is on probation in that case. Judge Wright set bail at $5,000; Welch has not yet been charged with violating probation.
Williams has been charged with theft. He has no criminal convictions; he was arrested last June on charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle and trafficking in MDMA, but that case can no longer be found in the court system. Judge Wright set bail at $5,000.
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