Homeless man with 37 convictions arrested for attacking man outside Alachua library

Staff report

ALACHUA, Fla. – Robert Lee Robinson, 63, has been arrested for allegedly attacking a man outside the Alachua library on July 21.

At about 2:35 a.m. on July 21, an Alachua Police Department officer responded to the Alachua Sports Pub, where the victim said he had found a bag at the Alachua library that he believed to be abandoned, and while he was going through the items in the bag, Robinson suddenly attacked him.

The victim said he was hit and choked on the ground until he was able to get up and flee to the Alachua Sports Pub for help. The officer noted that the victim had visible injuries on his entire upper body, including his face.

The officer spoke with Robinson at the library and reported that Robinson was initially uncooperative and said he was ready to go and wished to speak to a judge. However, post Miranda, Robinson reportedly said he woke up to find the victim going through his bag, and after he confronted him, they began fighting. When he was asked what exactly occurred during the fight, Robinson reportedly became uncooperative again and said he would speak with the judge.

The victim positively identified Robinson as the man who had attacked him.

Robinson, who is described as homeless on the arrest report, has been charged with felony battery with a prior battery conviction. He has nine felony convictions (one violent) and 28 misdemeanor convictions (three violent), and he has served six state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2004. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $50,000.

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.