Man arrested for stealing gun, fleeing from police at Majestic Oaks

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

Duane Lee Williams, 23, was arrested early this morning after allegedly stealing a gun from a woman who lives in the Majestic Oaks apartment complex and then providing a false name to deputies and fleeing.

At about 1:30 a.m., Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call from a woman who said that Williams had stolen her 9mm handgun. She said she saw the handle of the gun protruding from Williams’ pants pocket and then argued with him when he refused to return it to her. She told deputies that while they were arguing, Williams pulled out the gun and pointed it directly in her face. He then fled on foot, running out of the entrance to the apartment complex. The woman followed him but stopped when he left the complex.

The woman was able to give a description of Williams, including some distinctive tattoos on his face. Deputies made contact with Williams in front of Majestic Oaks, at which point he allegedly provided a false name and then fled on foot; he was found and detained in the area a short time later.

Post Miranda, Williams reportedly admitted that he had provided a false name to deputies and stated that he didn’t know anyone who lived in Majestic Oaks and was walking in the area because he had been riding in a car with friends but the car ran out of gas. However, he reportedly could not provide the names of the friends or a description of the car. The victim thought Williams had discarded the gun in the nearby woods, but deputies were unable to locate it.

According to the First Appearance Order, Williams has been in the area for about 2 weeks. He has three previous felony convictions in Marion County, including a five-year prison sentence for aggravated assault, possession of a weapon by a convicted delinquent, and fleeing. He was released from prison in October of 2021. Williams is being held on $35,000 bail.

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.