Gainesville man arrested for threatening ex-girlfriend with box cutter

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Derrick Reng Washington, 63, was arrested yesterday morning after his ex-girlfriend reported that he was repeatedly knocking on her door, threatening to kill her, and that he had chased her with a box cutter.

A Gainesville Police Department officer responded to a report that Washington had repeatedly driven by the victim’s residence and had periodically knocked on the door, threatening violence against her. The victim said Washington has access to a gun and that he has threatened to kill her with it. The officer wrote that he saw Washington driving by while he was on scene.

The victim also said Washington chased her when she ran home to escape him. She reportedly provided the officer with video of Washington chasing her with a box cutter after threatening to kill her multiple times. The officer reported that a box cutter was found, along with several knives, in Washington’s car.

Post Miranda, Washington reportedly said he had chased the victim “from his property,” but not with a knife. He also reportedly said he had not been to her residence but had been at his home all day, although he was reportedly in his vehicle when he was arrested.

Washington has nine local felony convictions. He has been charged with aggravated assault, aggravated stalking, and simple battery. He is being held on $250,000 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.