Man on pre-trial release arrested after allegedly fleeing from traffic stop and hiding inside screened porch of occupied apartment

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kellis Marquis Kennedy, 18, was arrested yesterday after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop on a stolen dirt bike, fleeing on foot after the bike stalled, and hiding inside the screened porch of an occupied apartment.

At about 5:27 p.m. on October 23, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy initiated a traffic stop on a dirt bike in the 7100 block of SW 41st Place, just east of Veterans Memorial Park. The bike reportedly stalled in the 6900 block of SW 41st Place after the rider tried to make a U-turn in an attempt to evade the deputy, and the rider reportedly fled on foot. Deputies reportedly chased him for about 200 yards, through a wooded area and into a neighborhood south of SW 41st Place.

A K-9 indicated that the suspect had crossed a wooden privacy fence into a residential yard. Deputies entered the fenced yard through the gate after a neighbor confirmed there was someone in the back yard, and deputies reportedly found Kennedy lying down on the screened porch of an occupied apartment.

The resident of the apartment was reportedly “extremely distraught” and ran further into her home after seeing a man enter her back porch.

Post Miranda, Kennedy reportedly said he knew the dirt bike was stolen and was taking turns riding it with his friends. He said he had been riding the bike for about two hours before the incident.

Kennedy has been charged with fleeing with lights and sirens active, grand theft of a motor vehicle, resisting an officer without violence, and burglary of an occupied dwelling. Kennedy has a juvenile conviction from this year and was arrested in August and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting an officer without violence for fighting at the Hawthorne High School football stadium and refusing to stop when ordered by law enforcement. He was released on his own recognizance, and formal charges were filed earlier this month. Judge Kristine Van Vorst set bail at $110,000 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.