Man who escaped interview room at GPD in March arrested at homeless encampment

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Darius Dequion Phillips, 32, who allegedly escaped from an interview room at Gainesville Police Department (GPD) Headquarters in March, was arrested yesterday after an anonymous caller reported that he was in a tent on SE 4th Place.

On March 7, a GPD Officer was investigating a car burglary in which AirPods Max were stolen. The victim was reportedly tracking the AirPods and providing updates to the officer. When the officer arrived at the location where the AirPods were pinging, he reportedly saw Phillips wearing the AirPods. Phillips was also reportedly wearing clothes matching the description in another vehicle burglary. Phillips was detained, and the AirPods were confirmed to be the stolen items.

Phillips was transported to the GPD station for an interview; a search reportedly produced two baggies containing 4.3 grams of “molly.” Post Miranda, Phillips reportedly admitted the substance was “molly” and that it was his. He denied any involvement with the car burglaries and said another homeless person gave him the AirPods.

Phillips was reportedly informed that he was under arrest for possession of a controlled substance and left in an interview room that has an automatic lock. About 30 seconds later, the lock malfunctioned and unlocked, and about 10 minutes later, Phillips allegedly opened the door, walked out of the interview room, and left the station.

At about 1:09 p.m. yesterday, an anonymous caller said that Phillips was sitting in a tent on SE 4th Place. At 1:19 p.m., an officer saw Phillips sitting with an unknown female; when Phillips saw the officer, he stood up. The officer told him to remove his backpack and place his hands on top of his head; while removing the backpack, Phillips allegedly fled the tent area and jumped over a six-foot fence. When he saw officers on the other side of the fence, he reportedly tried to jump back over the fence but was tased as he was running away. Phillips allegedly resisted being handcuffed, tensing his arms.

Post Miranda, Phillips reportedly said he made a mistake by running.

Phillips has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, escape, and resisting an officer without violence. He has six felony convictions (one violent) and three misdemeanor convictions (one violent). He has served six state prison sentences, with his most recent release in January 2024. Judge Thomas Jaworski set bail at $127,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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