Gainesville man arrested for breaking window of vehicle, stealing wallet, and using credit cards to buy video game controllers

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Ethan Van Young Jr., 33, was arrested yesterday for allegedly breaking the window of a car, stealing the victim’s wallet, and using her credit cards to buy video game controllers.

At about 8 a.m. on May 28, the victim’s car window was smashed while the vehicle was parked at Shoppes at Thornebrooke (2441 NW 43rd Street), and her wallet and credit cards were stolen. About 45 minutes later, one of the cards was used at the northwest Walmart (5700 NW 23rd Street), where two video game controllers were purchased for $166.37. There was an attempt to buy two $400 gift cards, but that transaction was declined by the bank.

The suspect left Walmart, got into a black Mercedes, and drove away; the responding Gainesville Police Department officer reported that the Mercedes is registered to Young.

The suspect wore a hoodie in Walmart, but a camera caught a view of his face that showed a cross tattoo on his face.

At about 9:10 a.m., another one of the cards was used at Dollar General (145 NE 39th Avenue), and the suspect wore the same clothes and arrived in the same vehicle. A witness reported that the suspect had a cross tattoo on his forehead.

A warrant for Young’s arrest was issued on July 22, and he was arrested yesterday.

Young has been charged with burglary of an unoccupied vehicle, grand theft, and fraud. He has no criminal convictions but has warrants out of Iowa and Broward County for unlawful use of credit cards. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $110,000.

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.