Man on probation arrested for allegedly breaking glass door of barbershop

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Joseph Colin Barnes, 25, was arrested early yesterday morning for allegedly kicking and breaking the glass door of a barbershop, causing an estimated $8,000 worth of damage.

On the morning of May 1, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to a barbershop near the intersection of SW 2nd Avenue and West University Avenue, where the barbershop owner said he had arrived to find his front door smashed and glass all over the sidewalk.

The business owner said he didn’t know of anyone who would want to harm his business, and the officer visited nearby businesses to collect surveillance video.

The officer reported that there were no cameras at the business, but another business owner said his cameras showed a white man with a medium build and short hair walking up to another nearby business and pulling on the door.

The officer reported that surveillance video showed a man pulling a door handle and kicking the glass door of a nearby business and then doing the same at multiple other businesses on the same strip. At the end of one video, the officer reported that the man’s legs can be seen as he is standing in front of the barbershop with his back against the door, kicking the glass.

On May 2, the same officer responded to a call at a nearby business to report that “a male who takes things [was] currently at their location.” The description of the man matched the suspect on the May 1 surveillance video, and the May 2 caller gave the officer a picture of the suspect.

The officer reportedly found Barnes standing on the median at NW 36th Drive and West University Avenue and detained him.

Post Miranda, Barnes reportedly did not want to answer any questions.

Barnes has been charged with felony property damage. He has one felony conviction (non-violent) and two misdemeanor convictions (one violent), and he is on probation for attempted armed robbery. He violated his probation in December 2025 and was sentenced in January to 187 days in jail with credit for 187 days served, with his probation reinstated after his release. Judge Adam Lee set bail at $50,000 on the new charge; he has not yet been charged with violating probation.

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