Homeless man arrested for threatening paramedics with knife
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Keith Brian Thomas, 44, was arrested Monday and charged with two counts of aggravated assault on an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), battery on an EMT, and resisting arrest without violence.
Two EMTs were treating a patient at about 5 p.m. on Monday when Thomas reportedly pushed the patient away from the EMTs. One EMT said Thomas walked toward her, balling up his fists, and then the other EMT stepped between them. Thomas allegedly told the second EMT that he “had something for him,” pulled a 5-inch knife out of the patient’s bag, and walked toward the two EMTs. Both EMTs said they were in fear for their lives.
When a Gainesville Police Department officer arrived, Thomas reportedly said he had a gun; when the officer told Thomas to show his hands, he allegedly refused and turned away, then pulled away while the officer was trying to place him in handcuffs. Thomas was reportedly taken to the ground and handcuffed.
While Thomas was being loaded into an ambulance, he allegedly kicked a third EMT.
A search incident to arrest reportedly produced a 5-inch knife in Thomas’ pocket.
Post Miranda, Thomas reportedly said he did not have a knife and did not threaten the EMTs.
Thomas, whose listed address is GRACE Marketplace, has seven felony convictions (five violent) and 24 misdemeanor convictions (four violent). He has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2016. He also has a pending sworn complaint for three counts of felony battery and resisting arrest without violence after allegedly punching or pushing three people on E. University Avenue on July 9.
Judge Walter Green set bail at $65,000.
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.Â
Another model citizen showing his appreciation for what our taxes have provided – NOT.
During wars medics were often taken out because it would prevent medical care for an injured soldier. If the medic could be injured or killed…you get the picture. Think about what these EMTs are potentially exposed/subjected to in performing their duties and the loss it may have for the community. How many resources are wasted by the occupants of Grace?
Which would you rather have; people like this nut job or an EMT who has committed their life to helping others? Now tell leadership to do something about Grace the Mistake Marketplace.
Another danger to societal norms is the person giving a “thumbs down” to your comment. It’s apparent someone has a certain affinity for this scourge over a person filling an EMT’s role.
Pretty sure jazzman gets on every story and downvotes all the common sense posts in the name of liberal fanaticism, or something like that.
Make that 4. People wonder what’s wrong with society…they need mirrors in their homes.
7 felonies 24 misdemeanors should be walking the street do you want him on your street or around your children are you going to vote or just stay home
There was a guy on the Mugshots page within the past week that I’ve seen off and on it for years. Come to find out that he has served 9..count em…NINE! prison sentences. Problem is, he was never in for longer than 2 years at a time. A career criminal that was in and out, in and out.
This ought not be so. Like this feller right here who has been to prison, there ought to be a law passed that your second prison stint is a mandatory 5 year minimum. If you are not responsive to a year-plus of incarceration the first time, it’s likely you will be unresponsive to incarceration the second and third and fourth time around.
Career criminals need to conduct their career in a prison, not in public. He might find happiness in Chicago, NYC, LA or SFran.
Why lock them up at our expense, let’s just relise they are a lost cause and put them down like a mad dog, problem solved.
this comment is so unbelievably disgusting. are you serious?
Assault on EMS fire law enforcement is a third-degree felony. And $hit face green only gives a 65,000. Bond for 3 felonys it’s time for the Governor to investigate the DAs judges in Alaucha County.
Agreed. It seem that Judge Tommy is doing a little better with increased bail amounts but overall there needs to be a investigation of the process
I’ve seen this dude in here a million times. Probably has a cot with his name on it at the A. C. jail. Also you’ll see him walking around Newberry Rd./ 75th Street sometimes.
I find myself constantly checking who is lurking at the intersections, and jaywalking on the roads. Driving in Gainesville is becoming increasingly dangerous.