Hawthorne man arrested for threatening store employees with gun

Staff report

Update on January 15, 2024: On December 20, 2023, Harkins entered a plea of nolo contendere to assault and improper exhibition of a firearm (both misdemeanors) in exchange for 12 months of probation, with the possibility of early termination of probation after six months. Harkins sent Alachua Chronicle the following statement: “Upon entering Dale’s Tire, [one of the employees] accosted me so I turned to leave and said ‘I don’t have time for this.’ This enraged [the employee], who then picked up my wheel that was leaning against my car and threw it, damaging it. Wheels are my primary means of livelihood. [The employee] followed me out of the business shouting insults at me, so I asked him from the road if he wanted to step out in the street and settle it. When I said this, two other employees that were nearby came out in front of him, into NE 21 Way, followed by several other employees, one carrying a firearm. So I pulled my lawfully carried gun and kept it low and ready, and left once I could.”

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – James Edward Harkins III, 36, of Hawthorne, was arrested yesterday and charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly threatening two store employees with a gun on June 6.

Harkins allegedly asked the two employees, who work for an auto services business in the 2900 block of NE 21st Way, to do something that was a safety concern for the employees and against their employer’s policies. The employees refused to provide the service, which reportedly caused Harkins to become upset. He reportedly got into his car and drove out of the gates of the business but then walked back through the gates, where the employees told him to stop.

Harkins allegedly reached into his pocket and took out a gun, then racked the slide back and pointed it at the two employees; both employees retreated and called 911. The employees made a note of Harkins’ tag number as he drove away.

A witness exiting the store as Harkins tried to come back in through the gate corroborated the employees’ story.

Harkins has a juvenile criminal history and three misdemeanor convictions (none violent). Judge Walter Green set bail at $70,000.

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.