Man on probation arrested for burglary and aggravated assault after allegedly entering a home and then trying to hit another vehicle while fleeing

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – James Russell Davis, 47, was arrested yesterday evening after allegedly walking into an occupied house, then fleeing from officers on NW 39th Avenue and intentionally trying to hit another vehicle several times.

At about 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Gainesville Police Department officers responded to a call from a person who had heard someone in the kitchen downstairs and called out, causing the intruder to leave. The victim’s camera reportedly showed Davis walking into the carport, picking up a cooler, shaking it, and putting it back down. Davis then allegedly walked to the kitchen door, looked through the glass door, opened the door, and entered the kitchen. Once inside, he reportedly picked up an item from a table, then looked at packages on the kitchen island that showed the victim’s and others’ names. The victim called out from upstairs, and Davis turned, walked out of the home, and left in his car.

Davis was later seen driving eastbound on NW 39th Avenue at about 5:10 p.m., and two patrol officers turned on their lights and sirens. Davis allegedly drove around multiple vehicles and broke several traffic laws to avoid apprehension.

At about 6:15 p.m., Davis reportedly swerved into a lane occupied by another victim’s vehicle in the 1900 block of NW 13th Street and almost hit the victim’s vehicle. The victim reportedly had to drive over the center median into the opposite lane of travel to avoid being hit by Davis.

The victim turned around to return to the northbound lane, and Davis also allegedly turned around and followed the victim, intentionally attempting to hit the victim’s rear bumper. The victim took evasive action to avoid being hit.

After multiple citizens boxed in Davis’ car at 2106 NW 13th Street, Davis reportedly left the car and started walking northbound on the western sidewalk of NW 13th Street. An officer got out of his car and ordered Davis to stop and get on the ground, but David allegedly ignored him. A TASER was deployed and had no effect, but officers were eventually able to take him to the ground, where he was taken into custody.

Davis has been charged with aggravated assault, burglary of an occupied dwelling, resisting arrest, and fleeing. He was charged in two local cases in 2019; one was an arrest for battery and indecent exposure, and the other was a sworn complaint for disorderly conduct and indecent exposure. All charges were dropped in both cases.

Davis has one felony conviction and is currently on probation for aggravated assault. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $152,000.

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.