Williston man arrested for armed burglary in Micanopy

Staff report

Updated on December 22 with bail information.

MICANOPY, Fla. – Charles Thomas Smith, 22, of Williston, was arrested yesterday for allegedly breaking into a home in Micanopy and stealing three firearms.

At about 5 p.m. on December 16, the victim’s father went to the victim’s home and noticed that the victim’s motorcycle had been moved behind some large trees; the victim’s father also found that the victim’s home had been broken into. The victim asked his father to check his home to see if his guns had been taken, and the victim’s father reported that three guns were missing — two pistols and a rifle.

As an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy was investigating the burglary, another call came in about a burglary about a mile away. The deputy responded to that home, where the homeowner said she had found her belongings in disarray, along with items that were not hers, including two firearms. The deputy reported finding ammunition for the stolen handguns and a magazine that belonged to the stolen rifle.

Post Miranda, Smith admitted to entering the first victim’s home and taking three guns; he also reportedly admitted that he had attempted to steal the motorcycle “but failed to do so.”

Smith has been charged with armed burglary of a dwelling and grand theft. He has a juvenile conviction from 2016, one adult felony conviction (violent), and one adult misdemeanor conviction (violent); he recently served an 18-month sentence for aggravated assault after failing to successfully complete his term of probation and was released from prison on January 1, 2025.

Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial. On December 22, Judge Denise Ferrero denied the motion and set bail at $150,000.

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.