Three teenagers charged with stealing car from Kia dealership

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Lamarious Q. Williams, Jr., 19, and two 16-year-olds, a boy and a girl, were detained yesterday after allegedly stealing a car from a Kia dealership. Williams was arrested in March for allegedly stealing a car from the same dealership.

The General Manager of the Kia dealership reportedly told a Gainesville Police Department officer that the three teenagers were pulling door handles at Jenkins Kia of Gainesville and found a Kia Stinger that was unlocked. The 16-year-old boy allegedly got in the car, turned it on, and drove it out of the dealership.

The General Manager reportedly said that he tracked the car until he saw it at the intersection of NE 16th Avenue and NE 16th Way, with three people in it. He reportedly said that Williams was driving the car and that he warned all three to get out of the car. Williams reportedly ran away, and the two 16-year-olds walked away north on NE 16th Way. The General Manager informed law enforcement about the stolen car while he was at the intersection where he found it.

An officer made contact with the 16-year-old boy, who reportedly said he was pulling door handles at the dealership when the 16-year-old girl told him that the Stinger was unlocked. He reportedly admitted to getting in the car, turning it on, and driving it away with the two other teens in the car.

Post Miranda, the 16-year-old girl confirmed the boy’s account, reportedly adding that Williams and the boy had exchanged seats after a few blocks, with Williams driving from that point.

Post Miranda, Williams reportedly said he wasn’t with the two 16-year-olds at the dealership but took possession of the car at the McDonald’s on E. University Avenue. He reportedly said he had “implored” the two 16-year-olds to get “out of trouble” when he learned the car was stolen but admitted that he was driving the car when the General Manager located the car.

Williams was previously arrested in March 2022 with two different juveniles for stealing a car from the same dealership. He was found incompetent to stand trial in May but did not meet the criteria for being committed to a training facility of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and was released on a number of conditions, including a condition to not violate any laws. Williams also has a juvenile criminal history. 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.