Gainesville man arrested for burglary of Harbor Cove clubhouse

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Maurice James Singleton, 32, was arrested early yesterday morning and charged with burglary of the Harbor Cove clubhouse and possession of burglary tools.

Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a burglar alarm at Harbor Cove Apartments, 6815 W. University Avenue, at 3:22 a.m. on Saturday. The first deputy to arrive reported that there were no lights on in the clubhouse and no vehicles in the parking lot, but he could hear the alarm. Another deputy found an unlocked door at the rear of the building, but the other doors were locked, and there was a “We are closed” sign on the front door.

The first deputy drew his firearm and began monitoring the front side entrances. As additional deputies arrived, the property manager informed them that a camera feed inside the building showed a male in a hoodie near the restrooms. Shortly after that, a deputy saw a male exiting a rear door and told him to stop, but he reportedly ran back into the building.

A few seconds later, the first deputy saw a man run out of one of the front doors, pointed his firearm at the man, and told him to get on the ground. Singleton allegedly looked at the deputy and continued running past him. The deputy tried to take him to the ground, but Singleton allegedly ran to an adjacent neighborhood, where another deputy Tased him and detained him.

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A search of Singleton’s backpack reportedly produced several different types of pliers, scissors, wire cutters, a black ski mask, and gloves.

Post Miranda, Singleton reportedly said he went into the building because he was in an argument with his mother and needed to “clear his head.” He reportedly admitted that the lights were off and the alarm was going off and that he saw a deputy at the rear door but ran back inside because he was afraid. He also reportedly admitted seeing the first deputy with his gun drawn and deciding to run. He reportedly said he entered the building through the front glass doors, but those doors were securely locked when deputies arrived. He also reportedly said he had the tools so he could work on his car, but he was not near his car when he was arrested.

Singleton has been charged with burglary of an unoccupied building, possession of burglary tools, and resisting arrest. He has previously successfully completed deferred prosecution agreements for petit theft and resisting arrest. Bail information is not available on weekends.

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.