The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) has arrested one of three suspects believed to be involved in an armed robbery that occurred July 22 in the 700 block of SW 69th Street in Gainesville.
According to an ACSO release, deputies initially responded after two victims reported they had been robbed while attempting to sell items to a buyer they met through social media. According to investigators, the victims were lured to the location under the belief they were completing a legitimate transaction. During the meeting, the victims were robbed at gunpoint and the suspects fled on foot with multiple items, including a firearm the victims intended to sell.
As the investigation progressed, detectives identified 18-year-old Dewayne McAllister III as one of the suspects. Investigators allege McAllister was the individual who initially met with the victims and took possession of one of the firearms during the robbery before acting in concert with two additional suspects, who remain unidentified.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for McAllister, and on Friday, law enforcement officers received real-time information indicating McAllister was at a residence in the 1000 block of SW 62nd Terrace. Deputies and warrant investigators established a perimeter around the home and issued repeated commands over a public address system for him to surrender. After approximately 30 minutes, McAllister exited the residence and was taken into custody without further incident.
McAllister is charged with armed robbery, two counts of grand theft of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a Florida adjudicated delinquent
Investigators said McAllister also faces additional charges stemming from a separate ACSO investigation into an unsanctioned block party in May. During that investigation, members of the ACSO FOCUS Unit recovered a rifle reported stolen from Dixie County. Detectives later linked McAllister to the firearm after identifying him in photographs allegedly showing him in possession of the stolen rifle.
According to ACSO, McAllister has an extensive juvenile criminal history, including prior adjudications for multiple burglaries. In 2023, he was also charged with armed burglary, criminal mischief and grand theft of a firearm.
The investigation into the July 22 armed robbery remains active. Two additional suspects remain at large.
Anyone with information about the robbery or who observed suspicious activity in the area at the time of the incident is asked to contact ACSO Detective C. Weitzel at 352-367-4161 or by email at cweitzel@alachuasheriff.org.