Gainesville man arrested for breaking into FDOT building

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – James Patrick Maguire, 33, has been charged with burglary, grand theft, and property damage after allegedly breaking into an FDOT building, stealing a laptop and other items, driving an FDOT utility vehicle around the property, and destroying an electronic key card reader.

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office investigation found that between 1:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. on August 23, Maguire entered the Florida Department of Transportation compound at 5007 NE 39th Avenue; deputies identified McGuire by comparing surveillance video from the incident with previous booking photos and a body-worn camera video from a June 2026 traffic stop.

Surveillance video reportedly shows Maguire walking around inside the building, wearing a blue backpack that he did not have when he entered the property; the backpack belonged to an FDOT employee who kept snacks and writing utensils in it. At one point, Maguire is seen carrying a desktop computer. The backpack was found outside the building the next day by employees, and it contained a laptop (valued at $1,400), a camera (valued at $1,100), and headphones.

During the same time frame, an electronic key card reader was ripped from its housing and was found hanging by wires; the damage was estimated at $3,040.

Surveillance video also reportedly shows Maguire raising a roll-up exterior door and riding a John Deere Gator utility vehicle around the property; the vehicle was found on FDOT’s property, but the keys were gone, which the deputy wrote indicated “an intent to potentially return and take the vehicle.”

Deputies located Maguire at his residence, and post Miranda, he reportedly declined to answer questions. However, as he was being placed into a patrol vehicle, he reportedly asked if deputies “would like the keys”; after he was reminded of his right not to speak, he reportedly said the only thing he took was the keys to the Gator. Deputies reportedly found the keys where Maguire said they were, in a drawer in his bedroom.

Maguire has been charged with burglary of an unoccupied structure, felony property damage, and grand theft. He has one misdemeanor conviction (non-violent). Judge Mitchell Bishop set bail at $15,000.

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.