Homeless man arrested for attacking people and scratching their car in a downtown parking lot
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Joshua Frederick Dejong, 31, was arrested early this morning and charged with three counts of battery, property damage over $1,000, and resisting an officer after allegedly scratching a car and attacking three people in a downtown parking lot.
At about 12:35 a.m., Gainesville Police Department officers responded to a call at 220 W. University Avenue, where the victims reportedly said they were next to a car belonging to one of the victims in a parking lot when one of the victims heard Dejong say, “Do you want to get sticked?” The victim said Dejong walked to the driver’s side of the vehicle and used a hand tool to leave an eight-foot-long scratch on the side of the vehicle.
The car’s owner asked Dejong what he was doing, and Dejong allegedly pushed her in the chest. A second victim also asked Dejong what he was doing, and Dejong allegedly grabbed his shirt and punched and scratched him multiple times. The responding officer reported that the victim’s shirt was clearly stretched out and that he had an eight-inch scratch and bruise on his abdomen.
A third victim said she pulled Dejong and the second victim apart and tried to calm Dejong down, but he touched her inappropriately.
As three officers questioned Dejong, he allegedly ran but was captured and arrested.
Dejong reportedly refused to let the officers read him his Miranda rights but said he didn’t do anything.
The damage to the car was estimated at $2,000.
Dejong, whose address is listed as GRACE Marketplace, had his first interaction with local law enforcement in June 2023, when a sworn complaint was filed alleging that he confronted customers at PDQ and “harassed” the occupants of vehicles in the area of the restaurant; witnesses told officers that he appeared to be “on something.” He was also cited for driving an unregistered vehicle and driving without a valid driver’s license. He was detained and evaluated under the Marchman Act.
In July, formal charges of driving an unregistered vehicle and driving without a valid license were filed.
On August 1, a sworn complaint was filed after he allegedly sat in the driver’s seat of a vehicle belonging to a stranger in the area of 2900 SW 42nd Street. That charge was dropped on October 20.
On August 4, he was arrested for simple battery against security guards at Main St. Billiards Bar. He was released on $4,000 bail, and the charges were dropped on September 20.
On August 14, a sworn complaint was filed alleging that he trespassed after being asked to leave by management at the Extended Stay Hotel. A formal charge was filed in that case on September 11, and Dejong was arrested on a warrant on September 20. He entered a plea of nolo contendere at his first appearance before Judge Thomas Jaworski and was sentenced to one day in jail with credit for one day served. He still owes $326 in fines and fees in that case.
On September 7, he entered a plea of nolo contendere to the charges from the June incident at PDQ; adjudication of guilt was withheld, and he still owes fines and fees of $276.
On October 8, a sworn complaint was filed after he allegedly stole a drink from the Wawa on NW 13th Street; the report states that he was detained in handcuffs, but he was not arrested.
Dejong has an unspecified out-of-state criminal history between 2011 and 2023. As of August 5, he had a pending notice to appear in Sumter County for possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without a valid license and an active warrant out of Georgia.
Dejong is being held on $45,000 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.
Check all the dropped charges. . .
He’s in the right place since he doesn’t feel obligated to pay his debts. Nice how the City feels it’s right to invite these types to town who threaten and endanger people’s lives and property.
Appears they should have been in fear for their lives. Is it fortunate or unfortunate there were too many witnesses? After so many dropped charges and releases – unfortunate.
Can’t there be a class-action suit against GRACE, the city, the county, and Director Jon DeCarmine? Cease and desist already.
What has Gainesville become? For shame..
The number of crimes committed by the homeless is Gainesville is substantial and rising! The crimes are more often violent and the threat to the public. City leaders need to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to protect the citizens and suppress the homeless population. Do it now!!!
My suggestion – don’t wait for the city to protect you. If you’re legally able, arm yourself and be ready. These criminals are hiding in parking garages, side streets and banging on your doors, put ’em down and don’t give them the chance to harm you and your family.
These type of people are going to get away with crimes until the citizens of Gainesville and Alaucha County grow a set of balls and start using the second amendment rights and stand your ground law. After you put a few of them in the ground word would get around this time to stop this nonsense that taxpayers are tired of it
He deserves immediate death
This man is 31 years old, he looks healthy and able to work. Why is he homeless and harassing our citizens? This is the lifestyle he chose and the City of Gainesville helps to support his kind. This is not rocket science. Get rid of these people.
My first thought upon seeing him was that he looked 18! In most of his other mugshots he looks young and healthy, too. He DOESN’T look 31.
I’m the same age and falling apart – what working, 10yrs. of college, grad-school, etc. will do to ya. Being a professional nuisance to society/ the homeless life must agree with him.
He’s probably a (past) psychotic drug abuser, too. That or a sociopathic criminal, but doesn’t seem that smart.
I say send these psychos to Haiti where they do psychotic drugs and call it religious faith.
Fire all the judges, social workers and goddam lawyers who kept letting him out.
He is fortunate he was not shot.
Gave up on midtown & downtown a year ago after having lunch at a restaurant with outside seating. We were continually badgered by panhandlers and ruined our lunch. Good luck to all the business & restaurant owners & employees that are trying make a living. If the City Commission refuses to deal with the homeless problem they will see their tax base evaporate.
I lived in Gville in tge 80’s and early 90’s. Downtown was vibrant with decent restaurants, bars, music lounges, the Hippodrome, and best if all, throngs of people enjoying life. Today…sad.
The downtown plaza was much better before they rebuilt it to discourage vagrants from sleeping there. That was another noteworthy stupid decision made by the city, for anyone keeping track. It would be better to have them sleeping on the plaza (all in one place and mostly out of the way) instead of camped out on public benches by the side of the road and in front of businesses downtown like we’re seeing now.