Homeless man arrested for stealing and recycling metals worth over $52,000

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Travis James Mingal, 41, was arrested yesterday after allegedly stealing over $52,000 in metal items from a recycling business and selling them to a scrap yard.

The victim, who owns a recycling business, contacted Gainesville Police Department (GPD) on June 5 about a series of burglaries and thefts inside his fenced business near the 2800 block of N. Main Street. The victim said he had suffered over $52,000 in losses from a combination of theft and property damage when the suspect cut radiators, wiring, and other metal parts from expensive machinery on his property; the machinery included several excavators worth over $100,000, which are now inoperable because of the missing parts.

The victim also reported that he’d had a 40-yard dumpster full of crushed stainless steel animal cages from a UF animal research facility; the cages have a unique appearance, and many still had faded UF stickers attached.

The victim, suspecting that the thief was selling the stolen items to a scrap yard, visited two local scrap yards, and a supervisor at one of them reportedly confirmed receiving the animal cages and a list of parts that closely matched the list of stolen parts. Most of the metals had been sold already, but a GPD detective viewed some of the animal cages and reported that “one look” was all it took to confirm that they were the same as the cages remaining at the victim’s business. The scrap yard supervisor also reportedly confirmed that he had never seen cages like this in nearly two decades in the business, and only Mingal had ever brought in these cages.

The victim set up cameras and reportedly caught Mingal on video, approaching some of the damaged machinery and carrying some of the stolen materials.

The detective learned that Mingal had been taking a mix of metal parts and cages to the scrap yard for several weeks, and his mother had been driving him to the scrap yard in her car.

When selling these items, Mingal provided his ID card, signature, thumbprint, and an attestation that he was the true and rightful owner of the materials; the scrap yard also takes a photo of each seller.

Yesterday, after Mingal’s mother’s vehicle was seen pulling into the scrap yard, Mingal was arrested inside the business, allegedly attempting to sell more animal cages and metal parts.

Mingal’s mother was questioned later at GPD Headquarters; when she was shown pictures from the victim’s cameras, she reportedly “had a strong emotional reaction and positively identified” the suspect as her son. She reportedly said Mingal moved from GRACE Marketplace to a campsite in the woods that is right outside the victim’s business.

Mingal, whose address is listed as GRACE Marketplace, has been charged with burglary with property damage, organized dealing in stolen property, grand theft over $20,000, and falsely attesting to ownership of secondary metals. He has 20 felony convictions (non-violent) and 14 misdemeanor convictions (non-violent) and has served three state prison sentences, with his most recent release in October 2024. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $280,000.

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.