A Gainesville man was arrested early Wednesday for allegedly robbing three people with a handgun and having a car key to a stolen vehicle, according to Gainesville Police.
Jo’Von Uriel Lake, 21, was charged with two counts of armed robbery, both first-degree felonies; grand theft auto, a third-degree felony; and resisting arrest without violence, a first-degree misdemeanor.
Police gave this account:
At about midnight Wednesday, Lake, of Southwest 17th Lane, allegedly approached Michael Moss, 37, Shelea Caesar, 29, and Mocu Leej Macrae, 35, in a parking lot at the 2000 block of Northeast Ninth Street, according to a GPD report.
Lake allegedly pulled out a .357-caliber handgun and threatened the victims.
“You know what time it is, give it up,” Lake is quoted in the report as saying to the victims.
One of the men gave Lake $10 while the other victims said they did not have money or valuables on them.
Lake fled from the scene.
Shortly after the robbery, the victims contacted police and gave a description of Lake.
Moss said in an interview Wednesday there was a second person with Lake hiding in the bushes.
Police found Lake near one of the victim’s vehicles.
After he was discovered, Lake fled from police.
Police shouted at Lake multiple times to stop, but he allegedly refused and continued running.
Officers later caught Lake after a foot chase.
Police searched Lake and found a car key in his front pocket to a 2004 Jeep Cherokee that was reported stolen on Tuesday, according to the report.
Two of the victims individually identified Lake as the man who robbed them.
Lake did not make any statements to police after being arrested.
According to the Alachua County Clerk of Courts, Lake has been previously arrested and charged with grand theft and burglary of an occupied dwelling.
Lake is currently in Alachua County Jail with a bond of $400,000.
Contact Chris Alcantara at calcantara@alligator.org.
