Homeless man arrested for hitting victim with metal pipe during robbery attempt

Staff report

Updated on July 8 with pre-trial detention information.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Lonnie Collins Barton IV, 37, who was released from prison a week ago, was arrested yesterday for allegedly hitting another man with a metal pipe and trying to rob him.

On June 28, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to an emergency room, where the victim was being treated for his injuries. The victim reportedly said he was in a “hangout shed” in the Duval Heights area when Barton got upset with him because he exposed his genitals; then he heard Barton and another man talking outside the shed about robbing him. The victim said the other man (referred to as the witness) told Barton he could rob the victim because the victim has health issues and is weak.

The victim said Barton came back into the shed and pointed a metal pipe at him, threatening to kill him, before swinging the pipe at him. The victim said he blocked the initial swing with his forearm, but then Barton hit him in the forehead with the pipe, causing a two-inch gash; Barton then allegedly reached into the victim’s pocket in an attempt to take his cash, but he did not succeed. The officer reported that Barton had a large bruise on his arm.

The officer went to the shed and reported finding a small amount of blood on a couch inside the shed.

The officer located Barton at the incident location and arrested him. Post Miranda, Barton reportedly said the victim was pulling his genitals out of his pants, and the witness got mad and told Barton he was going to rob the victim. Barton said the witness walked into the shed and punched the victim several times in the head. He said he didn’t do anything except yell at the victim for exposing his genitals.

The witness reportedly said Barton heard that the victim was urinating in the shed, and he was upset because they try to keep their hangout area clean. The witness said Barton walked into the shed and started punching the victim. He said he wasn’t there, but he heard about it from Barton and the victim. However, he later changed his story and said he was in front of the house.

Barton, whose address is listed as GRACE Marketplace, has been charged with attempted armed robbery and aggravated battery. He has 15 felony convictions (none violent, one sexual offense) and five misdemeanor convictions, and he has served five state prison sentences, with his most recent release on June 22, 2026. Judge Joy Danne ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial. On July 8, Judge Denise Ferrero granted the motion and ordered him held without bail until trial.

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.