Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Yolanda Bohdana Baruch, 45, was arrested yesterday morning after allegedly stealing microwave dinners from the refrigerator at the Holiday Inn Express off Archer Road and throwing hot coffee on an employee who tried to stop her.

At about 7:47 a.m. yesterday, Baruch allegedly took several microwave dinners from the refrigerator at the hotel and walked out without paying. A hotel employee tried to stop her, and Baruch allegedly threw hot coffee on the employee before fleeing.

The hotel employee told the responding Gainesville Police Department officer that Baruch often comes into the hotel, and the employee lets her have free food from the breakfast buffet, but Baruch did not have permission to take the microwave dinners.

Post Miranda, Baruch reportedly said she took the items because she did not have money and was hungry. She said she took the dinners instead of the free breakfast because she did not want the free breakfast. She reportedly admitted throwing coffee on the employee and said she did that because the employee was hitting her.

Baruch, who is described as homeless in court documents, was arrested on December 15, 2023, and charged with grand theft of a vehicle. She was released on her own recognizance with the requirement that she not violate any laws.

Baruch has been charged with battery, theft, and resisting the recovery of stolen property. Judge George Wright ordered her held without bail.

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.