GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida students Ivan Kinwang Ma and James Shaw Tan, both 18, were arrested early this morning in connection with the alleged theft of an e-scooter from a campus parking garage. Ma also faces a separate allegation involving an e-scooter taken from Gator Corner Dining Hall.
According to a University of Florida Police Department officer, surveillance footage from Garage 4 showed Tan and Ma handling an e-scooter for roughly 40 minutes at about 11:46 p.m. on October 18. The pair allegedly removed the scooter’s cable lock and cupholder before Tan rode it east along Museum Road to Honors Village, where he lives. Video from the residence reportedly shows Tan securing the scooter to a bicycle rack with his own cable lock. Removing the cupholder allegedly caused damage to the vehicle.
After being advised of his Miranda rights, Tan reportedly told investigators that he and Ma had taken the e-scooter.
Ma, also questioned after receiving a Miranda warning, reportedly said he stole the scooter from Garage 4 and claimed he acted alone. He also allegedly acknowledged taking another e-scooter from Gator Corner Dining Hall and bringing it to his residence in Riker Hall. Ma reportedly directed officers to the scooter, where its serial number matched the number provided by the victim, and gave police the code needed to unlock it.
Tan faces charges of petit theft and misdemeanor property damage.
Ma faces two counts of petit theft along with a misdemeanor property-damage charge.
Both men told Justice Support Services, formerly known as Court Services, that they are UF students and have lived in Alachua County for approximately three months. Neither has a prior criminal record. Judge Joy Danne ordered both defendants released on their own recognizance.