Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Freddie Lee Martin III, 31, was arrested this morning after allegedly entering an apartment through a door he had previously damaged and refusing to let the occupant leave. He later allegedly caused $2,000 damage to a patrol car after being arrested.
Early this morning, Martin showed up at the victim’s front door in Sweetwater Square Apartments (3101 NE 15th St.) and asked her to let him in. The victim reportedly knew him only by his nickname (“Red”) and did not open the door. Martin allegedly kicked the door three times, damaging it to the point where it could not be opened; the damage is estimated at $1,500. The victim was reportedly unable to leave her apartment, and officers were unable to locate Martin.
An officer helped the victim get her door open, and about an hour later, Martin allegedly returned and forced the victim’s door open. Martin allegedly told the occupant that if she left, “everybody dies in here.” He allegedly placed a chair under the interior door handle to keep it closed.