Gainesville man arrested for trying to break into house and car, threatening to kill dogs

Staff report

Updated on November 30 to correct Smart’s age. There is still conflicting information about his age, with some sources saying he was born in 1983 and some saying he was born in 1993.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Seth Thomas Smart, 32 (or 42), was arrested early this morning for allegedly trying to burglarize a car and a house and damaging a fence.

At about 12:23 a.m. on November 29, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to a home near the 900 block East University Avenue, where the caller said a white man wearing a red hoodie had tried to break into a vehicle at their home.

The victims said that they heard the man trying to enter their home and heard him say, “I’m going to kill your dogs.” He also allegedly tried to enter a vehicle that was parked in their driveway.

The officer reported that he found Smart on the victims’ property, near the side of the house.

Pieces of the victims’ damaged fence were also reportedly found scattered on the ground.

Post Miranda, Smart reportedly said he was in downtown Gainesville and mentioned being at a nightclub. When the officer asked whether the home looked like a nightclub, Smart reportedly did not respond; when asked about whether he had threatened to kill the victims’ dogs, Smart reportedly said, “No comment.”

Smart has been charged with attempted burglary of an occupied dwelling, attempted burglary of an unoccupied vehicle, and misdemeanor property damage. He has no criminal convictions, and Judge Adam Lee set bail at $50,000.

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.