Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Ernest Ellsworth Green, 68, was arrested yesterday after allegedly breaking a window at a church and entering through the broken window; he was released from the Alachua County Jail six days ago and is on probation.
At about noon on December 12, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a call about a burglary at Passage Ministries (5000 E. University Avenue). The deputy confirmed that there was a broken window on the back side of the building, with pieces of broken glass inside the building.
Verbal announcements were made before entering the church, but there was no response, and Green was reportedly found lying in an office and apprehended after a K-9 team searched the building.
Post Miranda, Green reportedly declined to speak with the deputy.
Green has been charged with trespassing and property damage to a church. He has five felony convictions (three violent) and six misdemeanor convictions (none violent); he has served four state prison sentences, with his most recent release in August 2024.