Waldo man arrested for fleeing from police, crashing into fence

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Mitchell Craig Griffin Jr., 23, of Waldo, was arrested yesterday after allegedly fleeing from police on November 23 and crashing into a fence; his girlfriend reported the car stolen and provided an alibi for him, but officers identified him as the suspect using surveillance video from a convenience store.

At about 3:30 a.m. on November 23, Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers responded to multiple noise complaints from the Chevron at 1024 W. University Avenue and reportedly saw a large baggie of marijuana on the center console of a gold Chevrolet Malibu driven by a black male. Officers told the man to get out of the vehicle, and he initially opened the driver’s side door as if he were going to comply, but then he slammed it shut and drove away.

Officers activated lights and sirens to conduct a traffic stop on the Malibu, but the driver turned off the vehicle’s lights, ran multiple stop signs, and drove at a high rate of speed, disregarding the safety of other vehicles.

At about 4:20 a.m., officers found the vehicle, which had crashed into a fence in the 700 block of NW 15th Avenue. Officers also found damage to the fence at a neighboring property from someone forcing their way through it and attempting to jump it.

About 80 grams of marijuana was reportedly found in the vehicle, along with Griffin’s ID card and mail showing Griffin’s name. Officers could not positively identify Griffin as the driver of the Malibu, but there were no signs of forced entry or tampering with the ignition.

The next morning, the registered owner of the vehicle, who is dating Griffin, reported that the Malibu was stolen overnight. She said her Malibu was at her home when she went to bed at about 11:30 p.m. on November 22, and Griffin was home at that time, went to bed with her, and never left her residence until after she woke up the next morning, when she realized the car was missing.

Meanwhile, officers went back to the Chevron and reviewed surveillance video, capturing photos of the Malibu driver’s face while he was standing near the gas pumps at about 1:45 a.m. and inside the store at about 2 a.m.

An officer spoke with Griffin by phone, and Griffin reportedly said he had been at home the whole night.

On November 26, Griffin met with officers at GPD Headquarters, where he again reportedly said he had been at his girlfriend’s house all night and did not leave at any point; he also said he did not give anyone else permission to drive the Malibu.

When officers showed Griffin a photo from the Chevron’s surveillance cameras, he reportedly confirmed that he was the man in the picture, and he was detained.

Post Miranda, Griffin reportedly again confirmed he was the man in the picture; when he was told that surveillance video showed the same man entering the Malibu and fleeing, he reportedly declined to speak about that. He reportedly said he did not have any marijuana in the vehicle.

On the way to the jail, Griffin reportedly said he had just gotten out of prison “for the same thing.”

Griffin has been charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, fleeing from law enforcement with lights and sirens active, reckless driving with property damage, resisting an officer without violence, and driving without a valid license. He has five felony convictions (non-violent) and was released from prison in June 2025 after serving a one-year sentence for fleeing from law enforcement (click here for an article about that incident). Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $40,000.

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.