A Gainesville man was arrested Sunday morning after police believe he broke into a car at an apartment complex, bringing the city’s car-burglary total so far this month to 31.
Kevin Marcus Boyd was charged by Gainesville police with vehicle burglary, theft and resisting arrest after the incident at the Williamsburg Apartments on Southwest 16th Street, according to jail records and a news release from police spokesman Ben Tobias.
Boyd has an extensive history of burglaries, the release said.
A resident of neighboring Country Garden Apartments called police after hearing an activated car alarm in the parking lot, the release said.
Gainesville police responded to the call and observed Boyd, 31, checking car-door handles to see if they were unlocked.
After finding an unlocked vehicle and getting inside, the officers approached Boyd, the release said. He fled the parking lot, jumped a fence and ran into the woods.
Officers found Boyd attempting to hide, and he had a pocket full of change and small jewelry items.
Boyd remained in the Alachua County jail Monday afternoon on a $15,000 bond, according to jail records.
Tobias praised the resident who called the police.
“Had the resident not observed the suspicious activity and called police, we would not have made this arrest,” he said. “So 100 percent of the credit goes to that resident.”
Gainesville police are taking “a multifaceted approach to reducing car burglaries,” Tobias said.
“We’re hoping that we’re leveling off, if not having a reduction,” he said.
So far this month, 31 vehicles burglaries have been reported to Gainesville police. In October, there were 72, in September 66, in August 69, and in July 99.
The department has reached out to residents to speak about the importance of locking their vehicles and reporting suspicious activity to the police, Tobias said.
It’s also issuing vehicle-security report cards.
“Our officers will go out to parking lots and large areas like apartment complexes, and we’ll make sure that the vehicles are secure,” Tobias said of the report cards.
To protect their cars, residents should lock their doors, secure their belongings and call police if needed, he said.
“If they see anything suspicious, like the person did in this case ... call police immediately,” Tobias said.