OCALA – A Gainesville man was arrested Wednesday by a sheriff’s detective after admitting to breaking into an internet café to steal cash.
Najuan Shaquile Burse-Williams confessed to Detective Pam Thomas that he fired shots at the front door of the establishment, breaking the glass. He then entered the building in search of money, obtaining some from the cash register.
Burse-Williams explained that he attempted to get more cash from the tables using a screwdriver, but they were empty. He mentioned that with a baby on the way, he was desperate for money.
Following the interview, Burse-Williams was charged with armed burglary of a structure, possession of burglary tools, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and grand theft, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Shortly after 4 a.m. on Wednesday, deputies were dispatched to the Lucky Duck Internet Café at 18651 N. U.S. 301 in response to a robbery. Upon arrival, they noticed the front glass door was shattered and the business was closed.
While searching the area, deputies observed a vehicle speeding westbound on County Road 318. The vehicle ran a stop sign at the intersection of U.S. 441 and CR 318. Deputies stopped the vehicle in the 18600 block of N. U.S. 441.
The driver, later identified as Burse-Williams, informed deputies that he had just left the internet café on U.S. 301. He consented to a search of his vehicle, and deputies found a screwdriver and a purple money tag.
At the internet café, other deputies reviewed the store’s surveillance video and sent a still image of the suspect to Thomas, who was at the traffic stop. Thomas interviewed Burse-Williams about the incident, and he initially denied committing the burglary, stating only that he had been at the café.
Cash was found in Burse-Williams’ pocket, which he claimed came from his home. He also stated that he was not allowed to possess a firearm due to his status as a convicted felon.
During a second interview with Thomas, Burse-Williams was informed about the video evidence showing his vehicle. At this point, according to the MCSO, he confessed to being the burglar.
State records indicate that Burse-Williams had previously served time in prison for grand theft and had been released since July 2017.
Burse-Williams, who celebrated his 28th birthday on January 29th, was held at the Marion County Jail on Thursday with a $70,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 5th at 9 a.m.
