GAINESVILLE, Fla. – James Todd Short, 60, was arrested last night and charged with burglary with property damage after allegedly breaking into a business and causing extensive damage.
A witness who saw Short entering Gainesville Ice House (1103 NW 4th St.) called the owner, who called law enforcement. A Gainesville Police Department K-9 team reportedly found Short in a small room on a makeshift couch, trying to hold the door shut by pushing against it with his feet.
Officers walked through the business with the owner, who noted that multiple power tools and air conditioning units were missing. Those charges are pending more information from the business owner.
There were also multiple windows stored inside the business, and glass was reportedly broken out of the window frames. Multiple cans of paint were reportedly opened, and paint was thrown on floors, walls, and other items in the business. The total damage was estimated at about $1,500.
Post Miranda, Short reportedly said someone led him to the business Thursday morning, but he was unable to provide any information about that person. He reportedly said that he entered an adjacent property, then climbed between a fence and a tree to gain access to the Gainesville Ice House property. He said he found the front door locked, so he climbed a fence that led to the rear of the property and found an open door.