Pair of 18-year-olds arrested for carjacking at Food Max

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Willonte Derrion Dunn and Artavis J. Mallary, Jr., both 18, were arrested last night after allegedly stealing a car at gunpoint at the Food Max on E. University Avenue.

The victim reported that he was walking out of the store at 1304 E. University Avenue at 3:40 p.m. yesterday when Dunn approached him, pulled out a pistol, pointed it at him, and demanded his keys. The victim said he was in fear for his life and gave Dunn the keys to his car, then ran back into the store.

Dunn allegedly got into the car and drove away; Mallary was reportedly nearby in a different car and followed Dunn when he left.

A short time later, Gainesville Police Department officers located the vehicle westbound on E. University Avenue, at which time Mallary was allegedly driving the vehicle, with Dunn in the passenger seat. Officers turned on their lights and sirens, and they reported that the two men in the car fled at high speeds through various residential neighborhoods with a disregard for the safety of other vehicles and pedestrians. Officers were finally able to stop the vehicle with a PIT maneuver.

In a search incident to arrest, 26 grams of marijuana were reportedly found on Dunn.

Dunn has a juvenile history and signed a pre-trial diversion contract on July 19, 2022, on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon. In the agreement, he pledged to “remain at liberty without violating any law,” not “carry or possess any firearms,” and not possess any drugs. He has been charged with carjacking while carrying a firearm and possession of a controlled substance and is being held on $780,000 bail with a requirement for an 8 p.m. curfew (except school, work, and church) if he is released.

Mallary has been charged with carjacking while carrying a firearm, fleeing, and driving without a valid license. He has no criminal history and is being held on $735,000 bail with a requirement for an 8 p.m. curfew (except school, work, and church) if he is released.

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. 

  • WOW! And to think I left my beloved Jax house for a more peaceful area. I came here for my MSN & peace & quiet.
    But at least we have our own firearms & carry licenses. At 5’1 & 3/4”the only other thing I could do is punch them in the gonads.

  • And people wonder why no one wants to open a big supermarket on the east side. It’s crime run amok, guys, not to mention a systemic lack of good character. “More of the same” is obviously not the answer as far as the DA’s office, judges, and police/sheriff leadership. I’m hoping the new city commission won’t still be ruled by a deranged majority and will immediately make an effort to get our police helicopters back.

    • The only reason Walmart is in the ‘hood is because the city wanted to grandstand about the redevelopment of the east side. As I understand it, they were originally going to build where H-Depot is on 13th.

      In my lifetime, so many businesses packed up shop and went elsewhere. Being robbed multiple times in broad daylight were among the many reasons.

      Food lion and Winn Dixie where the Sheriffs department is located all closed due to crime, and the ones ripping them off are the same ones complaining there’s no businesses in their part of town.

      Of course, it’s not their fault. They’re victims, oppressed, disenfranchised, a by product of being kept down by the man.

      All ridiculous claims but it works because the government dumps money in their laps for food, meds, cell phones, housing u name it. Nothing like rewarding poor behavior. Until they stop, it’ll never change.

  • is this part of a after school program “car jacking” ?
    this is why i have a rule never to travel east of I-75 EVER!

  • Brings new light to definition of food deserts. It was bad enough that shoplifting and purse snatching ran off grocery stores. Now this … 😡

  • Another day in Gangsville FL! Haircuts indicate criminality IMHO. Shave bald before letting them on the street, and back to the hood (city hall).

  • I think that we should feel lucky that the GNV police (so far) still pursue and arrest armed carjackers rather than (as currently in some bigger cities) just consoling the victim who was lucky to survive and helping to fill out his/her/its insurance paperwork.

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