Benjamin John Roberts, aged 29 from Lake City, and Christy Marie Shaw, aged 33 from Gainesville, were taken into custody on Tuesday following warrants for their arrest. The incident occurred when Roberts allegedly assaulted a man outdoors in downtown Gainesville, and both suspects proceeded to steal jewelry and cash from him.
Responding to a robbery and physical attack report around 8 p.m. on November 15, a Gainesville Police Department officer learned from the victim that Shaw, his ex-girlfriend, approached him as he sat on the steps of the Matheson Museum making a sandwich.
Simultaneously, Roberts approached from the opposite direction, assaulting the victim with approximately 20-30 closed-fist punches without uttering a word.
Roberts forcibly took a gold chain from the victim’s neck, instructing Shaw to retrieve it, asserting ownership. Following this, Roberts directed Shaw to rob the victim, resulting in the theft of $150 in cash from the victim’s backpack.
The victim recounted that Roberts threatened to use a firearm and put a “hit” on him unless he left Gainesville by morning. The responding officer noted multiple bruises on the victim, with both eyes swollen shut from the assault.
Identifying Roberts as Shaw’s current boyfriend, the victim positively identified both suspects from a photo line-up.
The officer highlighted a pre-attack direct threat on Roberts’ Facebook page, where he allegedly stated his intention to find and harm the victim.
The victim recalled that Shaw had previously shown him a firearm, claiming it belonged to Roberts, heightening his fear of potential harm. Roberts faces charges of simple battery and robbery, with a bail set at $30,000 by Judge Walter Green.
Despite having no prior criminal history, Shaw is charged with robbery, and her bail is set at $25,000 by Judge Green, who noted a pending petit theft charge in Gilchrist County.
