The Shields Painting Difference: Perfection with Every Brush Stroke
Many painting companies in Florida rely on flashy marketing and big promises to try and attract new clients. But when it comes time to work, they fall short of their promises. This is often due to a lack of experience, qualified painters, and a drive to overachieve. At Shields Painting, we do things a little differently than other painting companies in Citrus County. We believe that a professional paint job should be as close to perfect as possible. Our goal is to leave you 100% satisfied, whether we're touching up an old residential paint job or performing a complex commercial project. It might sound simple, but we achieve that goal through honesty, hard work, beautiful results, and reasonable pricing.
As a family-owned and operated painting company in Reddick, FL, we strive to provide personalized, professional, and friendly service. Shields Painting has been in business since 1968 for a good reason. Whenever possible, we go the extra mile to make sure our customers are happy. Unlike some of our competition, we want to know all about your house or business painting project: your vision, your preferences, your challenges, and your goals. When we understand your needs, we can present you with a fantastic final product - one that you're proud to show off to friends and neighbors.
At Shields Painting, we combine our extensive experience with time-tested, meticulous painting processes, resulting in the highest quality painting results around. As a painting contractor in Citrus County, we can take on a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial projects in Florida.
A few of our most popular painting services include:
- Interior Painting
- Exterior Painting
- Residential Painting
- Commercial Painting
- Cabinet Painting
- Ceiling Painting
- Fence Painting
- Sign Painting
- MUCH More!
Our commercial, industrial, and residential painting contractors take the proper steps to protect your property and belongings while we work. Our team will clean up after ourselves, so your property is left clean and free of debris when we're done. After all, we think there's only one way to do a job, and that's the right way.
Painting Services

Eco-friendly & clean work area.

PDCA Certified Member.

Your Go-To House Painting Company in Reddick, FL
Your home is a haven of relaxation and solitude. It is uniquely you - a place where you can express who you are through style and design. Whether you need interior touch-ups for your crown molding or a new exterior coat of paint, hiring a reliable painting contractor is the best way to get quality results.
At Shields Painting, we know how important it is to have a home that highlights your tastes and personality. That's why we offer an extensive array of residential painting services in Citrus County. As tempting as it might be to try a DIY paint job, without the proper skills and experience, there is a good chance that the results will turn out less than satisfactory.
High-quality painting requires skill, experience, and patience. If you're a homeowner who needs residential painting services but doesn't have the time, patience, or skills to handle the job, look no further than Shields Painting. We offer accuracy, precision, and longevity with each paint job we perform. Our customers choose Shields Painting for their home because they receive:
- Free Quotes with Detailed Project Breakdowns
- Affordable Pricing
- Expert Painting Contractors
- High-Quality Paint Products
- Combo of Traditional and Modern Techniques
- Well-Maintained Tools
- Unmatched Craftsmanship
- Friendly, Personalized Service
- Good Old-Fashioned Hard Work!
The majority of our house painting services come in two forms: interior and exterior.
Interior Residential Painting
As an interior painting contractor with decades of experience, our expert technicians have developed an interior painting process that maximizes quality and emphasizes customer satisfaction. We understand that interior painting goes beyond aesthetics. It protects your ceilings and walls and helps you sustain a healthier place to live for your family. When only the finest craftsmanship will do inside your home, Shields Painting is here for you.
Our seasoned team of painting experts and craftsmen is dedicated to respecting your space and providing you with the look and feel you're craving inside your home. Whether you bought a new house and want to make it your own or need minor touch-ups but have no time, Shields Painting is ready to tackle the job, no matter how small or large.
Unlike some painting companies, our interior house painters take the time to get the details right, every time. For instance, color is only one aspect of your interior paint job. The paint sheen or finish is just as important. Certain finishes are better for living rooms and bedrooms than in kitchens and bathrooms. We'll help you find the right finish and paint colors for your home, so you don't have to worry about touch-ups or repainting.
Some of our most popular interior house painting services include:
- Ceiling Painting
- Popcorn Ceiling Removal
- Living Room Painting
- Bathroom Painting
- Basement Painting
- Color Consultations
- More

Cabinet Painting
Citrus County cabinet painting deserves its own section on this page because it requires more time, skill, and quality paint than most sections of your home. If your home's cabinets are built into its woodwork, replacing them can be obnoxiously expensive. Compared to the cost of installing new cabinets, painting your kitchen cabinets is much more affordable.
At Shields Painting, we specialize in transforming old cabinets into new, gorgeous features that are just as usable as they are beautiful. Each step of our cabinet painting process is meticulous and thorough. And we'll take care of the entire job, from cleaning, prep, and sanding to priming, painting, and reassembly. This unique service lets you enjoy a brand-new look in your kitchen without having to go into debt by replacing your cabinets.
Whether your cabinets are new, but you want to change their color or you'd like to transition wood cabinets to a painted finish, Shields Painting has the expertise and experience to give you a new look you'll love.

Exterior Residential Painting
Your home - it's a place that not only keeps your belongings safe. It protects your family and loved ones, too. It's one of your largest investments, and like anything else of value, it should be protected. However, Florida weather can take a toll on your home's structure and paint, lowering your home's value and even putting your family at risk.
While it's true that a beautiful exterior affects your house's value, it shouldn't take thousands of remodeling dollars to make a positive change to your home. There's a fine line between reasonable pricing and top-quality painting, and that sweet spot is what Shields Painting aims for. If you want to transform how your friends and neighbors see your home, never underestimate the power of a professional paint job.
Our exterior residential painting services are designed to boost curb appeal, give your home a fresh look, and help it stand up to Florida's unique weather. But we provide more than that. When you hire Shields Painting for your outdoor painting project, you will enjoy peace of mind in knowing that your home is in truly capable hands. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and help bring out the best in your property, whether you need to re-stain your deck or remove old, peeling paint from your siding.
If you're on the hunt for the very best exterior painting contractor in Reddick, FL, look no further than Shields Painting.
Some of our most popular exterior house painting services include:
- Vinyl Siding Painting
- Deck Painting and Staining
- Stucco Exterior Painting
- Wood Exterior Painting
- Porch Painting and Staining
- Soffit Painting
- Fascia Painting
- Window Painting
- Front Door Painting
- Thorough Painting Prep
- More

The Premier Commercial Painting Company in Reddick, FL
When it comes to first impressions, your businesses' appearance plays an important role. Your commercial property's paint job factors into its overall aesthetics. A great-looking, well-maintained paint job can mean the difference between a customer walking in your storefront and passing by. Conversely, an old, worn-out commercial paint job can send the wrong message to prospective customers. If you can't take the time to keep up your property's appearance, why would a customer spend their hard-earned money on your products?
The same goes for your businesses' interior paint. Would you want to do business with a company that has peeling paint or unsightly crown molding? At Shield's Painting, our goal is to create a beautiful environment that your customers and employees will love inside and out. When you work with our business painters, you can rest easy knowing we treat your business like it were our own. We always clean up after ourselves and know that operations cannot come to a halt just because we're painting. As such, we'll work with your busy schedule to ensure the job gets done right the first time without disrupting your day-to-day commitments.
With decades of commercial painting experience, we know the demands of a commercial painting project necessitate a disciplined and focused approach from the start. Our team of business painters is committed to delivering quality, on-time results on every project, every time - no excuses

We offer professional business painting services to a variety of building types, including:

01
Industrial Painting
A high level of care and finesse are required to effectively paint an industrial property. At Shields Painting, we know that industrial paint jobs involve much more than aesthetics. That's why our industrial services are customized to your specifications, using industrial-grade materials that stand up to heavy-duty operations.
02
Retail Store Painting
Our commercial painters apply effective, yet appealing interior and exterior paint that stand up to the daily rigors of busy retail environments.


03
Small Business Painting
Do you own a restaurant franchise? Have a small "mom and pop" location that needs a fresh coat of paint? Shields Painting has the resources and reliability to efficiently get the job done the first time. That way, you can focus on serving your customers, not having your business repainted.
04
Healthcare Location Painting
From walk-in clinics to long-term care facilities, Shields Painting is sensitive to your patients' needs. We know you must protect your patient's privacy while maintaining productivity. Our approach to healthcare location painting centers around your schedule to avoid disruptions in care.


05
Apartment Complex Painting
Erase signs of wear and make your apartment complex or multi-family building a more desirable place to live with a stunning, professional paint job.
Florida's Most Trusted Painting Contractor
Shields Painting has been in the business since 1968. In a world where so much has changed, we are proud to uphold the ideals that make us successful: hard, honest work, getting the job done right, and excellent customer service. Providing you with trustworthy, quality work will always take priority over rushing through a project to serve the next customer. That is just not the way we choose to do business.
As professionals dedicated to perfection, we strive to provide a unique painting experience for every customer - one that focuses on their needs and desires instead of our own. Whether you need residential painting for your home or commercial painting for your business, we encourage you to reach out today to speak with our customer service team. Whether you have big ideas about a new paint project or need our expertise and guidance, we look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Latest News in Reddick, FL
Offseason Outlook: More than replacing two starters on to-do list for Tennessee’s O-line
Patrick Brownhttps://247sports.com/college/tennessee/Article/Tennessee-Vols-Football-2023-Offseason-Outlook-More-Than-Replacing-Two-Starters-On-To-Do-List-For-Offensive-Line-206398177/
247Sports Embed ResourceDot LoaderThe first phase of Tennessee’s 2023 offseason is winding down with the Vols closing winter strength-and-conditioning workouts this week and taking a brief break before hitting the practice field for the start of spring drills on March 20. The Vols are hoping to prove it has staying power and perhaps go one or two better coming off an 11-win breakthrough season in 2022, and the seeds of that memorable campaign that asserted Tennessee back into national relevance and championship contention...
247Sports Embed Resource
Dot Loader
The first phase of Tennessee’s 2023 offseason is winding down with the Vols closing winter strength-and-conditioning workouts this week and taking a brief break before hitting the practice field for the start of spring drills on March 20. The Vols are hoping to prove it has staying power and perhaps go one or two better coming off an 11-win breakthrough season in 2022, and the seeds of that memorable campaign that asserted Tennessee back into national relevance and championship contention were sown in the earliest parts of the offseason. Ahead of the Vols starting spring practice, it’s a good time to assess the state of Tennessee’s roster and the outlook at each position.
That’s exactly what GoVols247 will do in its annual Offseason Outlook series, which will break down each position on the roster by examining who the Vols lost and who they have, plus the players who need to step up and the pressing question for each group.
Having rolled through the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers and tight ends, we now wrap up one side of the football with the offensive line.
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WHO’S GONE
Tennessee will have a couple of starters to replace on its offensive line in 2023 with 43-game starter Carvin and 42-game starter Wright leaving voids at left guard and right tackle.
Wright was an All-SEC first-team performer in 2022 and has positioned himself to be a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft next month after backing up the film with strong showings at the Reese’s Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine. Carvin provided valuable leadership and consistency off the field and was as dependable as it gets on the field, where he also was a bit of an enforcer willing to step in and protect his teammates after the whistle. Wright did not allow a sack over his final 19 games at Tennessee dating back to midway through the 2021 season (when he played left tackle) and Carvin allowed just two sacks over his final two seasons – he also started five games at center in 2021.
Though Perry was part of the protection unit for field goals and extra points, he and Parker were outside of the two-deep at the tackle spots and left to seek better opportunities for playing time – Perry at USF reunites with former Tennessee offensive coordinator Alex Golesh and ex-Vols graduate assistant Tyler Hudanick
WHO’S HERE
Tennessee will go into spring practice very healthy in terms of the numbers on the offensive line – 16 scholarship players plus some walk-ons, most notably among those being Parker Ball, the second-team center the past two seasons. Glen Elarbee has done a solid job flipping this position as well as he brought in Crawford late in the 2021 cycle, five offensive linemen in the 2022 cycle and six in the 2023 cycle, including transfers Campbell (Miami) and Karic (Texas) and summer-arriving signee Ayden Bussell. There remain just five holdovers from the previous staff: Lane, Lampley, Mays, Spraggins and Davis, the former walk-on.
The Vols return starters at three positions up front: Mays (23 career starts) and Spraggins (26 career starts) will be third-year starters at center and right guard, respectively, and Mincey and Crawford return after splitting the starts (Mincey made seven and Crawford six) at left tackle. There’s veteran depth returning, too, in Lane (five starts at left guard in 2021), Lampley (195 career snaps) and Davis (three starts in 2021, 541 snaps the past two seasons). Transfers Campbell, who started all 12 games at left tackle for Miami in 2022, and Karic, who made five starts and played more than 500 snaps in three seasons at Texas, add experience to a position where it’s perhaps most needed.
There’s a young core on the offensive line, too, with Elarbee overseeing the development of the second-year quartet of Nichols (former Top247 prospect), Grant, Clipper and Reddick and newcomers Umarov (former Top247 prospect), Lang and Johnson, the junior college transfer.
WHO COULD STEP UP
Tennessee didn’t make the biggest splash when it brought in Mincey from SEC East rival Florida a little more than a year ago, and Campbell and Karic certainly weren’t the headliners of the transfer class the Vols brought in this year – both are rated as high-three-star prospects by 247Sports. However, Mincey went from a backup who played sparingly for the Gators to winning the starting left tackle job and playing serviceable football for the Vols, and this year’s transfer duo has more experience, so it’s not a stretch to see them being plug-and-play additions who ultimately get the job done under Elarbee. They also are older players who afford the 2022 and 2023 prospects a little more time to develop and be truly ready to play.
Campbell was Miami’s starting left tackle last season and his addition creates an interesting dynamic, because he and Mincey are primarily left tackles – does one flip to right tackle and get a full offseason to settle in there or are they battling head-to-head for the left tackle job? Crawford and Davis have played right tackle, so their adjustment would be easier. Karic played both right and left tackle at Texas, but could kick inside to guard at Tennessee – his potential versatility opens up options for him and Elarbee and gives the Vols needed flexibility.
PRESSING QUESTION
Can Tennessee’s offensive line improve or at least maintain its level of play despite losing two starters like Carvin and Wright?
Player development is the name of the game on the offensive line and Tennessee has a proven commodity on that front in Elarbee, who is now the second-highest-paid coach on the staff and got a two-year extension when the other non-promoted returning assistants got just one. The Vols lost Trey Smith and starting at two other positions and still made a big jump from 91st to 17th nationally in yards per play in 2021, and the individual improvement in the likes of Wright, Carvin, Mays and Spraggins was noticeable over the past two seasons. Tennessee went from allowing 44 sacks in 2021 to 27 in 2022, the offense improved in short-yardage situations and red-zone efficiency and four starters were named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week at least once.
Now the challenge is maintaining the standard without a potential first-round pick and another 40+-game starter, two players whose consistency provides a target for the rest of the group now to chase. Tennessee’s scheme and style on offense create some built-in advantages for the offensive line, but it’s still on this group to ensure the run game is effective enough to keep the Vols from becoming one-dimensional, protect a new quarterback who might not have the magical escapability Hendon Hooker had and deliver in those gotta-have-it moments on third- and fourth-and-short and on the goal line. It’s a high standard to maintain or improve, but the Vols appear to have the coach and culture to find a way to accomplish it.
Report: Bills’ Tremaine Edmunds could push to be highest-paid LB in NFL
Nick Wojtonhttps://sports.yahoo.com/report-bills-tremaine-edmunds-could-130520403.html
Tremaine Edmunds is going to get paid this week as free agency begins. The question is, how much?ESPN has a thought, and it’s bad news for the Buffalo Bills. Their projected answer: A lot. So much so, Edmunds might end up pushing to be the highest-paid linebacker in the ...
Tremaine Edmunds is going to get paid this week as free agency begins. The question is, how much?
ESPN has a thought, and it’s bad news for the Buffalo Bills. Their projected answer: A lot. So much so, Edmunds might end up pushing to be the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL when it’s all said and done.
ESPN’s group of NFL insiders put together a pre-free agency “buzz” list. Edmunds was mentioned and in section via analyst Jeremy Fowler, it was questioned whether or not Edmunds could push for “$20 million annually? Some teams think he might get close.”
While the phase “highest-paid” is not dusted off, that’s what they’re getting at.
Edmunds’ fellow 2018 NFL draftee Roquan Smith, now with the Baltimore Ravens, fetched that price tag this past year: $20M per season. That is the highest for all inside linebackers in the league.
The trouble for Buffalo is that they have salary cap constraints. The Bills will get under the 2023 salary cap by Wednesday at 4 p.m. when the new league year starts, but technically, they still haven’t announced exactly how they plan to.
Most believe it’s going to happen through restructuring more contracts, which is what the Bills already did in signing linebacker Matt Milano to an extension.
Bills Wire will provide updates on how, who, and when those changes are made.
For the time being, here’s Fowler’s breakdown on Edmunds and his free agency bid:
A spotlight should be on Tremaine Edmunds, who will test the linebacker market in a big way. His age (24), impressive size (6-foot-5, 250) and Pro Bowl background prompt the question: Will he push for $20 million annually? Some teams think he might get close. Not everyone agrees. But those who are high on him are really high on him, and Buffalo is bummed that a blue-chip player it drafted and developed isn’t staying due in part to cap constraints. The consensus is Indianapolis’ Bobby Okereke is somewhere behind him, but very high on the list. And a player whose market might surprise is Philadelphia’s T.J. Edwards. He could get more money than people think. He racked up nearly 300 tackles and 12 pass deflections in two seasons with Philly.
The linebacker market is saturated with really good players, so teams that stay patient will get great value.
Report: 'Number of teams' including Bills will target Tremaine Edmunds
Historical Markers of Hillsborough: Bealsville
hillsboroughcounty.orghttps://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/newsroom/2023/02/10/historical-markers-of-hillsborough-bealsville
Town established by 12 emancipated slaves 158 years ago remains one of Florida's oldest Black communitiesIn 1865, Mary Reddick, along with the families of 11 other newly freed former slaves, settled about 7 miles south of Plant City. At the time, the area was known as Howell's Creek. A year later, the families applied for property through the Southern Homestead Act of 1866. Before ownership of the land was granted, homesteaders had to clear and successfully farm the acres allotted to them. This was challenging work, considering the pl...
Town established by 12 emancipated slaves 158 years ago remains one of Florida's oldest Black communities
In 1865, Mary Reddick, along with the families of 11 other newly freed former slaves, settled about 7 miles south of Plant City. At the time, the area was known as Howell's Creek. A year later, the families applied for property through the Southern Homestead Act of 1866. Before ownership of the land was granted, homesteaders had to clear and successfully farm the acres allotted to them. This was challenging work, considering the plot sizes ranged from between 40 to 160 acres.
Mary Reddick's son, Alfred Beal, excelled at farming and was able to hold onto his land when others in his community faced hard times. After his neighbors were forced into foreclosure, Beal purchased their lots and later resold them - under generous terms - back to the original owners or their families.
In 1923, the residents of the community renamed the town Bealsville, in Alfred's honor. Bealsville still has many descendants of the original 12 families that established it. It is home to the historic Glover School, which was built in 1933 and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Historical Marker Inscription
The community that became known as Bealsville was settled in late 1865 by former slaves from nearby plantations in Hopewell, Springhead and surrounding areas. The original settlers were Steven Allen, Issac Berry, Peter Dexter, Neptune Henry, Mills Holloman, Bryant Horton, Samuel McKinney, Roger Smith, Mary Roddick, Abe Segenger, Jerry Stephens, and Robert Story. After emancipation, they were assisted by former slaveholder Sarah Howell, and the settlement was originally known as Howell's Creek. The settlers then homesteaded property that they acquired through the 1866 Southern Homestead Act. The name of the community first evolved from Howell's Creek to Alafia. In 1923, it changed to Bealsville in recognition of Alfred Beal, the son of Mary Reddick. After several freezes led to bankruptcy for some of the original settlers, Beal acquired the property and sold parcels of the land back to them, thus ensuring the continuity of the community.
Bealsville stands as a legacy of the emancipated slaves who sought to remake their lives in a new community of their own. Many citizens of Bealsville are descendants from the first settlers; others have moved here. All recognize and respect the original for founding one of Hillsborough County's oldest and noteworthy communities.
Marker Location The marker is at the intersection of Nesmith Road and Joe King Road, on the right when traveling west on Nesmith Road. It is in front of the Bealsville Recreation Center.
The Bealsville historical marker was erected in 2013 by the Hillsborough County Historical Advisory Council.
Learn more about Bealsville Learn more about Bealsville in a Hillsborough County produced video Timeline: Bealsville.
Daytona 500 Final Practice Results: February 18, 2023 (NASCAR Cup Series)
Shane Waltershttps://racingnews.co/2023/02/18/daytona-500-final-practice-results-february-18-2023-nascar-cup-series/
NASCAR practice results from Daytona International SpeedwayThis morning, the NASCAR Cup Series is back on track in Daytona Beach, Florida. It’s the final round of practice ahead of tomorrow’s Daytona 500.View Daytona 500 final practice results below.Daytona 500 MenuARCA: Prac | Qual | ...
NASCAR practice results from Daytona International Speedway
This morning, the NASCAR Cup Series is back on track in Daytona Beach, Florida. It’s the final round of practice ahead of tomorrow’s Daytona 500.
View Daytona 500 final practice results below.
Daytona 500 MenuARCA: Prac | Qual | RaceTruck: Prac | Qual | RaceXfinity: Prac | Qual | RaceCup: Qual | Duels | Starting Lineup | Prac 1 | Prac 2 | Race
Brad Keselowski wins final practice with a time of 47.071 seconds.
Pos | Driver | Best Time
1. Brad Keselowski47.071
2. Joey Logano47.072
3. Ryan Blaney47.076
4. Ryan Preece47.076
5. Harrison Burton47.077
6. Chase Briscoe47.105
7. AJ Allemendinger47.167
8. Justin Haley47.174
9. Noah Gragson47.353
10. Riley Herbst47.358
11. Zane Smith47.367
12. Corey LaJoie47.062
13. Conor Daly48.817
14. Austin Cindric49.922
15. Jimmie Johnson50.417
16. Todd Gilliland50.539
17. Tyler ReddickNo Time
Note: Only 17 cars took to the track.
NASCAR practice results from Daytona International Speedway
This morning, the NASCAR Cup Series is back on track in Daytona Beach, Florida. It’s the final round of practice ahead of tomorrow’s Daytona 500.
View Daytona 500 final practice results below.
Daytona 500 MenuARCA: Prac | Qual | RaceTruck: Prac | Qual | RaceXfinity: Prac | Qual | RaceCup: Qual | Duels | Starting Lineup | Prac 1 | Prac 2 | Race
Brad Keselowski wins final practice with a time of 47.071 seconds.
Pos | Driver | Best Time
1. Brad Keselowski47.071
2. Joey Logano47.072
3. Ryan Blaney47.076
4. Ryan Preece47.076
5. Harrison Burton47.077
6. Chase Briscoe47.105
7. AJ Allemendinger47.167
8. Justin Haley47.174
9. Noah Gragson47.353
10. Riley Herbst47.358
11. Zane Smith47.367
12. Corey LaJoie47.062
13. Conor Daly48.817
14. Austin Cindric49.922
15. Jimmie Johnson50.417
16. Todd Gilliland50.539
17. Tyler ReddickNo Time
Note: Only 17 cars took to the track.
Reddick man accused of threatening male victim with knife and attempting to steal window a/c unit
Staff Reporthttps://www.ocala-news.com/2022/09/07/reddick-man-accused-of-threatening-male-victim-with-knife-and-attempting-to-steal-window-a-c-unit/
A 46-year-old Reddick man was arrested after he was accused of threatening a male victim with a knife and attempting to steal the victim’s window air conditioning unit.On Tuesday, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office corporal responded to the 11300 block of NW 8th Street in Ocala in reference to a burglary incident.Prior to the corporal’s arrival, MCSO was advised that the male suspect was hiding near the intersection of NW 8th Street and NW 112th Avenue. According to the MCSO report, the suspect was described as ...
A 46-year-old Reddick man was arrested after he was accused of threatening a male victim with a knife and attempting to steal the victim’s window air conditioning unit.
On Tuesday, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office corporal responded to the 11300 block of NW 8th Street in Ocala in reference to a burglary incident.
Prior to the corporal’s arrival, MCSO was advised that the male suspect was hiding near the intersection of NW 8th Street and NW 112th Avenue. According to the MCSO report, the suspect was described as a Hispanic male in his mid-40s who was wearing a green shirt, red hat, and jeans.
The corporal approached the intersection and observed a Hispanic man who was wearing a neon green shirt and jeans. The man was sitting in the yard of a residence on NW 8th Street.
The front gate to the property was open and the corporal pulled the MCSO patrol vehicle into the yard. The man stood up and began to walk towards the back of the residence, and he was detained in handcuffs.
While the corporal was conducting a pat-down search of the detained individual, a second man matching the suspect’s description walked onto the property, and he was wearing a green shirt, red hat, and jeans. This second man was later identified as Gustavo Trejo Vargas, and he was detained by an MCSO deputy and sergeant who were also on scene.
The corporal responded to the location where the alleged burglary incident occurred. Upon arrival, contact was made with the male victim who did not speak English. According to the MCSO report, the corporal used a translation app on an agency-issued phone to interview the victim.
The victim stated that he was inside his residence on NW 8th Street when he heard a noise from the back window. When the victim walked to the rear side of the property, he advised that he saw Vargas attempting to remove the window air conditioning unit with a pocketknife.
The victim stated that Vargas then turned toward him and said, “Leave me alone.” According to the victim, Vargas then pointed the knife at him and began approaching him.
The victim advised that he felt threatened, and he returned to the inside of his home and called 911. He told the corporal that he last saw Vargas running down the road towards the intersection of NW 8th Street and NW 112th Avenue.
The victim provided a sworn written statement describing the incident. He also positively identified Vargas as the man who had allegedly attempted to steal his air conditioning unit and threatened him with a knife.
The MCSO report indicated that the air conditioning unit was valued at $300.
An MCSO deputy read Vargas his Miranda rights, and Vargas told the deputy that he did not want to answer any questions.
Vargas was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $4,000 bond. He is facing felony charges for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and grand theft of a dwelling (over $100 but less than $750).
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.
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