Man accused of shoplifting using young daughter as lookout in gainesville

Gainesville, FL – A 35-year-old man is facing charges after allegedly attempting to steal items from an Ace Hardware with his 6-year-old daughter. Joshua Robert Spirit was apprehended earlier this week on multiple charges, including child abuse and resisting an officer.

The incident reportedly took place at approximately 4 p.m. on Monday, November 10. Security personnel observed Spirit and his daughter in the store’s tool section where he concealed merchandise valued at $199 in his and his daughter’s belongings.

The guard confronted Spirit as he tried to leave the store without paying. Spirit reportedly refused to comply and attempted to flee in his vehicle, nearly hitting the guard in the process.

Responding officers located Spirit outside his residence shortly after. When instructed to stop, Spirit reportedly ran away, leaving his daughter unattended.

He was next seen in the 5900 block of NW 23rd Terrace. Spirit allegedly tried to escape again by jumping over an 8-foot wall and hiding in a Walmart parking lot.

Officers eventually found Spirit concealing himself under a parked car. In attempting to evade capture, he entered the nearby Walmart, where he was apprehended with the assistance of a Taser.

Spirit had prior nonviolent felony convictions and was on probation at the time of his arrest. He was booked at the Alachua County Jail, where a judge set his bond at $45,000 while holding him without bond pending review of his probation status.

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