Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Brooke Taylor Jenkins, 24, was arrested on December 27 after allegedly attacking another woman at Phoenix Super Food Store because the victim’s boyfriend owed her $50 in food stamps.

At about 10:37 a.m. on December 15, the victim reportedly met Jenkins at the store (2516 SW 31st Place) because her boyfriend had been arrested and owed Jenkins $50 in food stamps. However, Jenkins allegedly hit the victim in the head with a gallon of iced tea, breaking the container and spilling tea all over the floor. The victim fell to the ground, where Jenkins allegedly punched her, hit her, and choked her until her eyes bulged and she could not breathe. The victim said Jenkins told her she was going to get a gun from her car and shoot her.

An employee reportedly tried to separate the two women, and the victim produced a knife; the employee stopped the victim, and Jenkins reportedly grabbed the victim’s EBT card (containing about $295 in food stamps) and fled.

The responding Gainesville Police Department officer noted that the victim had red marks all around her neck and throat.

The store’s security cameras reportedly showed the victim holding a card and the two women arguing before Jenkins hit the victim with the iced tea. The officer reported that the victim tried to defend herself from the attack, but Jenkins was considerably bigger and stronger than the victim.

The victim was transported to an emergency room for treatment and reportedly positively identified Jenkins in a photo line-up.

The arrest report notes that Jenkins has “an extensive violent criminal history” including battery, affray, and attempted homicide. Based on the years of the reports, these appear to be juvenile charges, and they are not listed in her First Appearance Order, so they may have been dropped.

Jenkins has been charged with battery by strangulation and disturbing the peace. Judge Luis Bustamante ordered her held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold her without bail until trial.

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.