A late-night apartment visit Monday night landed one UF staff member in jail.
The Gainesville Police Department arrested Victor Martinez, 25, in connection with burglary of an occupied dwelling after a couple found him hiding in a closet at about 3 a.m.
Martinez is a program assistant for New Student and Family Programs, according to the UF Dean of Students’ website.
According to the arrest report, Brandon Chavez and Jacquelyn Rosado were returning to Chavez’s College Park apartment at 207 NW 17th St.
When the couple entered the living room, they saw a shadow coming from one of the bedroom floors. Chavez noticed a door near the kitchen was open, which he knew had been left closed, and decided to investigate, according to the report.
While Chavez inspected the kitchen, Rosada checked the closet where she found Martinez wearing a hooded sweatshirt and spandex shorts. She told police she thought Martinez was not wearing any pants because his shorts were pulled up above his thighs, according to the report.
Chavez then asked Martinez what he was doing in the closet. Martinez said he was in the wrong apartment and tried running out, but Chavez closed the front door while calling 911, according to the report.
Ronald Chumioque, Chavez’s roommate, came out of his room to investigate the commotion. Chumioque said he did not know Martinez or why he was in the apartment. Chavez then let Martinez go while he waited for police, according to the report.
Police later stopped Martinez traveling north on his scooter at 900 NW 18th Terrace and arrested him.
According to the report, Martinez told police several conflicting stories as to why he was in the apartment. Martinez said he entered the apartment because he thought there were people inside but later changed his story saying he thought the house was empty.
Martinez added he thought about taking an iPod and laptop but hid in the closet when Chavez and Rosado returned home.
