Homeless man threatens business employees with knife

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Ronald James Young, 62, was arrested early yesterday morning after employees of St. Francis House tried to wake him so they could get the business ready for the day and he allegedly threatened them with a knife.

Young, whose address is listed as GRACE Marketplace, was reportedly sleeping outside St. Francis House when three employees tried to wake him. One victim said that Young woke up upset, produced a knife, and said he would “cut everyone up.” Another victim said Young said he would “cut your punk a** up.” A third victim tried to intervene, and Young also allegedly threatened him.

Post Miranda, Young reportedly admitted that he pulled out his knife but said he did not point it at anyone. He said he told the victims, “You’re not going to kick me out of here, I got something for you.”

Crack pipes were reportedly found in a search incident to arrest. Young was charged with aggravated assault, aggravated assault on a person over 65 years of age, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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Young has numerous arrests dating back to 1986; he has 20 felony convictions and 46 misdemeanor convictions and has served seven state prison sentences. His most recent incarceration was for selling cocaine, and he was released in May 2021. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $125,100.

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. 

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