Pair arrested for burglary with battery in Pine Ridge, third suspect still unidentified

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Schyler Alexander Johnson, 35, and Vandale Denard Martin, Jr., 24, were arrested last night and charged with burglary with battery after the victim’s children told family members about the incident.

At about 9:30 p.m. on June 1, Gainesville Police Department officers responded to a call for service regarding two young children who told family members that a group of people had broken into their home in Pine Ridge and attacked their mother.

The officers spoke to the children, who were still in the home; one said he saw two men and a woman force their way into the home by pushing the door open while his mother tried to stop them. Once they were inside, the female suspect allegedly physically attacked their mother in multiple rooms, and Martin also allegedly attacked their mother at one point, while Johnson reportedly told the children to stay out of the way.

The arresting officer reported that Johnson and Martin were sitting in the courtyard, about five yards from the victim’s home. While the officer was speaking with the children, Johnson reportedly stood up and walked aggressively toward the officer, “yelling and cursing.” Based on these actions, officers took Johnson to the ground and placed him in handcuffs. Since a witness had identified both Johnson and Martin as being involved in the burglary, officers also attempted to handcuff Martin, who allegedly resisted being placed in handcuffs. Both men were reportedly yelling “excessively and cursing out loud,” disturbing the peace in the area.

Officers spoke to the children’s mother, who had fled to another location. She reportedly corroborated the children’s statements about three people pushing their way into the home and attacking her. The officer reported that the victim’s face was swollen and her eye was bruised.

Post Miranda, both men reportedly refused to speak with officers, and Martin allegedly refused to provide his name or date of birth but was later identified by his fingerprints.

The female suspect left the scene before officers arrived and had not been identified at the time the men were arrested.

Johnson has been charged with burglary with battery, resisting an officer without violence, and disturbing the peace. He has one felony conviction (non-violent) and seven misdemeanor convictions (two violent). Judge Meshon Rawls ordered him held without bail on the burglary with battery charge, pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial, and set bail at $7,000 on the other two charges (both misdemeanors).

Martin has been charged with burglary with battery, resisting an officer without violence, and disturbing the peace. He has a juvenile conviction and three adult felony convictions (two violent); he has served one state prison sentence for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and was released in November 2024. Judge Meshon Rawls ordered him held without bail on the burglary with battery charge, pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial, and set bail at $7,000 on the other two charges (both misdemeanors).

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.