Juvenile arrested following Waldo burglary

Release from Alachua County Sheriff’s Office

WALDO, Fla. – A 15-year-old male was arrested yesterday in Waldo and charged with burglary and battery by strangulation.

During the afternoon hours of Wednesday, September 9, Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a burglary at a Waldo residence in the 14400 block of NE 153rd Avenue. The caller said a young black male, in a light-colored shirt and blue shorts, knocked on their door. After answering and exchanging a brief interaction, the suspect grabbed the victim by their throat and pushed them to the ground. When the victim started to scream, the suspect fled the location on foot.

Multiple units responded, and a perimeter was set so a K-9 track could be conducted to locate the suspect.

Once making contact with the victim, law enforcement observed inflammation to the victim’s body that corroborated their statement. During the investigation, deputies were able to identify and confirm that the suspect was a 15-year-old who was staying in a nearby residence.

Contact was made with the juvenile’s guardians, and a search was conducted at the home where he was staying. Detectives and Crime Scene Analysts located evidence in the home linking the juvenile to the crime.

Deputies also spoke to a witness on scene who explained they saw a young male, matching the juvenile’s description, acting suspiciously in the vicinity prior to law enforcement arrival. The witness also confirmed details that matched evidence deputies located in the suspect’s home.

A deputy working the case observed a juvenile, matching the description given by the victim and witness, walking a short distance away. Contact was made with him, and after positive identification he was arrested and taken to the Juvenile Detention Center.

He was charged with burglary with assault or battery and battery by strangulation.