Man on pre-trial release arrested after allegedly backing stolen car into patrol vehicle and fleeing from deputies
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Nathail Eugene Harrington, Jr., 31, was arrested early this morning after allegedly backing a stolen car into a patrol vehicle and then fleeing from deputies.
At about 3:30 a.m. on March 14, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy located a Dodge Magnum that had been reported stolen at the Circle K at 4310 SE Hawthorne Road. The deputy pulled his patrol vehicle behind the stolen car and turned on his lights, instructing the driver to remain in the vehicle and keep his hands outside the car door. The deputy reported that the driver kept putting his hands inside the vehicle and had to be ordered “numerous” times to keep them outside the vehicle.
After several minutes, Harrington allegedly closed the car door and backed the car into the deputy’s patrol vehicle before driving east on SE Hawthorne Road.
Click here for a video of the incident.
Stop sticks were deployed in the Grove Park area, disabling the Magnum, but deputies reportedly found that the Magnum was empty. Deputies determined that a person walking along the roadway was the driver, and he was detained and identified as Harrington.
A search of a backpack found in the Magnum reportedly produced a zip-lock bag containing about 37.6 ounces of marijuana, empty zip-lock bags, and a scale.
Harrington has been charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, fleeing, property damage over $200, resisting an officer without violence, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Harrington has six felony convictions (three violent) and three misdemeanor convictions (none violent); he has served five state prison sentences, with his most recent release in June 2024. He was arrested on January 8, 2025, and charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle (a rental car that had been reported stolen) and possession of 143 grams of marijuana; bail was initially set at $50,000, but Judge Denise Ferrero ordered him released on his own recognizance for substance abuse treatment on January 22.
Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $250,000 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.Â
He was asking for trouble. Stolen car and that much weed? And then giving the cops a chase. He doesn’t mind prison at all.
Real smart fella! You shoulda been a teacher!
Are people becoming more stupid or is the invention of the internet publicizing these kinds of incidents more and more.
In other words, has this always been happening? Because I don’t remember this stuff growing up.
Give him a sixth prison sentence since he’s a slow learner.
Another pre-trial release?
You would think those responsible for releasing these dregs of society would have learned by now.
I vote we let them live with those responsible for letting them go until their trial.
Does anyone keep score on the judges? How many violators per judge? Who has the worst record? Seems like those type of stats would be helpful at election time.
BINGO! Winner. Unfortunately way too logical for a liberal judge though.
So, six felony CONVICTIONS, six months out of jail, and arrested again. AND ROR??? Now, that is criminal.
Well said, Wendy!
Glad he got the tattoos near the eye and on the neck so he can be IDENTIFIED easy.
Can you list the deputy/officer by name?
“he has served five state prison sentences, with his most recent release in June 2024.”
Come on judges…get an F’ing clue and put this guy away as he ain’t changing his felonious life.
if only he had belt to hold his pants up when he ran out of the car he might have gotten far away before they caught him and his azz crack wouldn’t be on body camera. I am going start a go fund me because there’s a problem with citizens on the east side of AC can’t afford belts and there’s a belt desert in the east side of AC (even though there’s a Walmart on waldo rd. that sales belts) the AC BOCC to build a special store on the east side that only sales belts. also further more I am going ban all law enforcement from illegally profiling all dodge magnums on the eastside because everyone knows all dodge type vehicle like magnums, chargers and hellcats the driver comes with warrants already.
The good news is maybe Jr with get to have family reunion with Sr in FLDOC. The bad news is the 3rd,4th and 5th who really knows how many are running around somewhere unless they’re already started being state raised and are with FLDJJ. “Wakanda Forever” “Keep Hope Alive” thanks Jesse.
Stupid is as stupid does, “backing a stolen car into a patrol vehicle” well duh dude.
Life has not been kind to this fella, and he has obviously not returned the favor. That’s a rough 31- he looks 10 years older than that.
The most separate prison sentences I know of is 11- meaning this guy went to state prison 11 different times. But the guy I know who holds this distinction is 60 years old. Harrington is only 31 and will be on his 6th go round already. He may challenge my friends record.
A 143 grams of marijuana is not substance abuse. Its drug dealing. Nobody keeps that much for personal use. Judge Ferrero should have been wiser to that especially after 5 prison stays. He can’t make it six months before being arrested. No justified reason or useful purpose to society.
had dealings with this guy in our jail, total career criminal, no remorse no rehabilitating this one