Gainesville Police arrested a man accused of attempting to rob a man Sunday night.
Keith Perry, 35, was charged with attempted robbery with an armed firearm.
The victim and witness were walking from Texaco gas station, located at 2109 SW 13th St., to Value Lodge Motel, located at 2000 SW 13th St., on Sunday around 9:50 p.m., according to the report.
While they were walking, Perry went up to them and told them to follow him back to his motel room because he had something to show them.
The victim used to be friends with Perry, according to the report. When the victim asked Perry what he was going to show to him, Perry said, “I’m carrying a lot of weight in my backpack.”
They all walked to the parking lot in the back of the motel, according to the report. Perry allegedly pulled a handgun from his pants, pointed it at the victim and said, “Give it all up n****.”
The victim put his hands up and said he didn’t have anything, according to the report.
Suddenly, an unknown black male ran up behind Perry and punched him in the back of the head, causing him to drop the gun. The unknown male grabbed the gun and ran.
Perry ran from the parking lot and the victim immediately called 911, according to the report. When a law enforcement officer was talking to the victim in an unmarked car, they saw Perry peeking around the corner at Americas Best Value Inn, located at 1900 SW 13th St.
Perry did not see the officer watching him and continued to watch the officer and the victim talk. A few seconds later, he ran into the motel, according to the report. Another officer then saw Perry and arrested him.
After being read the Miranda Rights, Perry said the victim punched him in the face because there was a disagreement about the victim’s wife, according to the report. Perry denied having any gun and being involved in the robbery.
Perry remained in Alachua County Jail on Monday evening in lieu of a $175,000 bail.
Follow Devoun Cetoute on Twitter @devoun_cetoute and contact him at dcetoute@alligator.org.
