Newberry Man Tied to Gun Thefts

NEWBERRY – A 19-year-old Newberry man previously arrested in connection with a stolen firearm has now been formally charged with burglary and the theft of two additional guns related to the same 2024 incident, authorities said.

Jacques Demetrius Harris was charged in May 2025 in connection with a Sept. 23, 2024, burglary during which four firearms were reported stolen from a vehicle in Newberry. The weapons included a Diamondback 9mm handgun, a Glock 19, a Canik Elite Combat 9mm handgun with a gold barrel, and a CZ Scorpion 9mm pistol equipped with a pistol brace.

Harris had previously been arrested on Nov. 4, 2024, after a traffic stop revealed a Taurus pistol—reported stolen just two days after the September burglary—in his vehicle, according to an arrest report. Deputies noted at the time that Harris was dressed entirely in black and was wearing a ski mask. He was released the following day on $77,000 bail. In January, prosecutors filed formal charges including grand theft of a firearm, unlawful concealed carry of a firearm, possession of marijuana under 20 grams, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On March 4, 2025, Harris was again pulled over in Newberry, this time driving a black Nissan. The front seat passenger was identified as Edwin Lee Daniels III, and the rear passenger as Neville Lowe. A probable cause search of the vehicle uncovered marijuana and a Glock 19—the same model reported stolen during the September burglary.

Investigators noted that this theft occurred near the same Newberry neighborhood, close to railroad tracks, and within days of the theft of the Taurus pistol recovered in the earlier stop.

At the time of the March stop, Harris was already on pre-trial release and under court orders not to possess firearms or illegal substances. Daniels, the front-seat passenger, was a convicted felon and legally prohibited from having a firearm.

A search warrant was issued for four cell phones—two belonging to Harris and one each to Daniels and Lowe. According to the arrest report, investigators discovered multiple images on Harris’ phone dated Sept. 30, 2024, showing Harris and others holding firearms. Some photos included metadata indicating they were taken at Harris’ residence, including one of a CZ Scorpion pistol believed to be the same firearm stolen in the Newberry case.

Other images showed Harris holding a Canik TP9 Elite Combat Executive pistol with a gold barrel—matching the description of another weapon reported stolen. One video, reportedly taken on the day of the burglary, showed a serial number that matched a stolen firearm from the earlier ACSO case.

In the arrest report, the investigating deputy wrote: “Harris has been caught with a stolen firearm in his vehicle at two different times in Alachua County. I have time- and date-stamped photos, some of which were taken the same day of the burglary, showing the stolen guns... In one of the above photos (taken from a video on the phone) you can clearly see the serial number of one of the stolen weapons.”

The report also cited probable cause to charge Harris with grand theft of a firearm and armed burglary of a conveyance under Florida Statutes 812.014(2)(c)(5) and 810.02(2)(b), respectively.

Though Harris is currently on pre-trial release in two other criminal cases, this latest charge does not violate those release conditions because it stems from conduct that occurred prior to those arrests. He has no prior criminal convictions.

Following his most recent arrest, bail was set at $250,000 by Judge Meshon Rawls. In the November case, although his bond had been revoked after the March arrest, Judge Aymer “Buck” Curtin later released Harris on his own recognizance. He was also released on recognizance in the present case after formal charges were not filed within the 40-day deadline, per an order by Judge Denise Ferrero on April 17.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Bail was set at $250,000 by Judge Meshon Rawls.

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