Man on pre-trial release arrested for breaking into car, stealing wallet, using cards to purchase items

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jeremiah Jeremain Whitehead, 25, was arrested yesterday morning and charged with burglary of a vehicle, grand theft, and fraudulent use of credit cards after allegedly burglarizing a car, stealing a wallet, and using the cards to purchase items.

On May 21, the victim reported that his car had been burglarized; his wallet was stolen, and he discovered seven unauthorized transactions on his credit and debit cards, for a total of $1,269.15.

The cards were first used at the Walmart on NE 12th Avenue, where Loss Prevention Officers were able to locate the transactions on store video. The arrest affidavit notes that there is “crystal-clear” video showing a man using the cards, including a failed attempt to purchase a Sony Playstation.

Using an image from the Walmart store video, a bulletin was circulated to Gainesville Police Department officers, and several officers recognized the man as Whitehead, who had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in a drug possession case.

Whitehead was found on June 10 and arrested on the warrant. Post Miranda, he reportedly identified himself on the Walmart store video and admitted he was wrong to use someone else’s credit cards; he also eventually admitted entering the victim’s unlocked car and taking the wallet.

Although Whitehead reportedly said that was the only car he’s burglarized and those were the only cards he has stolen and used, Walmart reported that he also used a card that did not belong to the victim; the report states that law enforcement has not yet contacted that potential victim, so it is likely that more charges will be added.

Whitehead has three misdemeanor convictions (one violent) and is on pre-trial release on charges of drug possession and resisting an officer without violence from a 2021 arrest. Those charges were initially referred to Drug Court, but the case moved back to the felony docket after Whitehead failed to appear at a hearing. He later failed to appear at another hearing, and a warrant for his arrest was issued in December 2022 with a recommended bail of $20,000.

Bail information is unavailable on weekends.

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.