Man arrested for car burglary and cocaine possession said he was just “exploring Gainesville”

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Benjamin E. Kuturoff, 20, was arrested early yesterday morning after allegedly pulling on the door handles of cars, stealing items from a car, and failing to disclose drugs in his wallet when he was booked into the jail.

At about 5:35 a.m. on February 8, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to Savion Park Luxury Apartments (719 SW 5th Avenue), where a caller said Kuturoff had tried to open the door of her car while she was sitting in it. She told the officer she saw him try door handles on multiple cars and then open the door of a Nissan, stay inside for a few minutes, and ride into the back parking lot of the complex on an electric scooter.

The officer saw Kuturoff in the back parking lot of the complex with an electric scooter, wearing clothing matching the description provided by the caller; when the officer asked what Kuturoff was doing in the parking lot, he reportedly said he was exploring Gainesville.

The officer noted that Kuturoff had a “large unusual protrusion” under his shirt, and when he asked what it was, Kuturoff reportedly pulled out a car inverter that was tucked into his pants leg. When the officer again asked what was under his shirt, Kuturoff reportedly pulled out a first aid kid with “Nissan” on the exterior.

Post Miranda, Kuturoff reportedly said he had been exploring Gainesville but was unable to explain why the caller had said he was pulling door handles and burglarizing a vehicle. He was also reportedly unable to explain how he had obtained the Nissan bag. A search incident to arrest reportedly produced a pack of specialty poker cards tucked into his pants.

Before the officer escorted Kuturoff into the jail, he asked whether he had any drugs and warned him that if he did, he would be charged with introducing contraband into a detention facility. Kuturoff reportedly said he had no drugs, but an inventory of his wallet reportedly produced four small baggies, three of which contained a total of 1.29 grams of a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine.

Kuturoff has been charged with two counts of car burglary, possession of a controlled substance, and introduction of contraband into a detention facility, all felonies. He was also issued a Notice to Appear in August 2024 for racing on W. University Avenue near NW 17th Street, a misdemeanor, and that case is still working its way through the court system. Judge Phillip Pena set bail at $12,500 on the new charges.

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.