Gainesville man arrested for entering apartment and stealing electric bike while occupant slept

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Earl Levon Baker, Jr., 43, was arrested yesterday on a warrant for burglary of an occupied dwelling and was also charged with possession of “molly.”

On the morning of August 21, the victim woke up to find that someone had entered his apartment while he slept and that his electric bike valued at $2,000 and other items were missing. The victim’s home security camera reportedly captured a man standing in his living room at about 5:54 a.m.

The responding Gainesville Police Department officer determined that the burglar had entered through an unlocked sliding door.

The victim reportedly spoke to his neighbor, who is related to Baker; the neighbor reportedly said that the victim would not get his bike back because Baker had likely “parted the bike out.” Two of Baker’s relatives reportedly identified him on the security camera footage but were unable to provide his location.

At about 1:13 p.m. on September 11, an officer saw Baker in the 4100 block of SW 17th Place and arrested him on the warrant. A search incident to arrest reportedly produced a baggie containing a white powdery substance that tested positive for MDMA.

Post Miranda, Baker reportedly said the substance was “molly” (a street name for MDMA) and that he has a drug problem.

Baker has 18 felony convictions (four violent) and 10 misdemeanor convictions. He has served eight state prison sentences out of Alachua and Putnam Counties, with his most recent release on May 1, 2024. He is also facing another sworn complaint for burglary of an occupied dwelling. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $260,000.

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.