A Gainesville man was arrested early Monday after police said he snatched and threw his ex-boyfriend’s ankle monitor before stealing his cell phone.
Jevon Terrell Battles, 22, approached his ex-boyfriend of seven months, Steven Curtis Janky, while he was walking on the sidewalk Sunday shortly after midnight, according to a report. Janky is on house arrest and had a monitor on him per standard procedure.
Upon confrontation, Battles grabbed Janky’s monitor out of his pocket, causing Janky’s pants to rip. Battles then threw the monitor to a nearby yard before reaching into Janky’s pockets again and taking his cell phone.
While trying to defend himself, Janky pushed Battles away, giving Battles a swollen eye and a scratch on his chest, Gainesville Police spokesman Officer Ben Tobias wrote in an email.
Battles then left the area with Janky’s phone. He later returned to Janky’s home Monday, located at 907 NW 40th Terrace, where he was arrested shortly before 2 a.m.
Battles was arrested on charges of robbery and battery. His bond is set at $30,000.
In 2012, Battles was arrested on charges of battery, resisting an officer, giving false identification to police, driving with a suspended license, marijuana possession and liquor possession by a minor.
[A version of this story ran on page 8 on 10/28/2014]
