GAINESVILLE – Two men have been charged in connection with the theft of a vehicle sound system after a surveillance-camera investigation led Gainesville Police Department detectives to identify the suspects and recover the stolen equipment.
According to an arrest report, 20-year-old Zachery Keith Turner III of Archer and 23-year-old David Lee Townsend Jr. of Gainesville are each charged with burglary of an unoccupied vehicle and grand theft.
The investigation began after surveillance cameras at a shopping plaza at 125 N.E. 23rd Avenue recorded two men walking through the parking lot shortly before 11:35 p.m. on Feb. 20. A Gainesville police detective reported the men were seen pulling on vehicle door handles before finding an unlocked Honda Civic.
Townsend allegedly opened the vehicle and released the trunk before briefly leaving the camera’s view. He then returned with Turner, who was carrying a tool.
Investigators said Turner reached into the trunk and cut wiring connected to the vehicle’s sound system. Turner allegedly removed a subwoofer valued at about $450, while Townsend allegedly removed an amplifier valued at about $680. The report states the two men placed the equipment into separate vehicles before driving away.
Surveillance footage also captured the suspects’ vehicles. Detectives reported Townsend was driving a small sedan with multiple stickers on the rear and silver trim, while Turner was driving a black Chevrolet Tahoe with black rims and a front push bar.
The investigation advanced after the owner of the business where the victim’s vehicle was parked distributed photographs of the suspects to neighboring businesses. According to the report, employees identified Townsend as a worker at the Wendy’s restaurant on North Main Street.
The business owner reportedly located Townsend’s vehicle in the restaurant parking lot and provided the license plate number to investigators. The detective confirmed the vehicle was registered to Townsend and determined that his driver’s license photograph matched one of the men seen in the surveillance footage.
The detective also recognized Turner’s vehicle from a previous burglary investigation in which Turner had been considered a possible suspect. According to the report, an identical Tahoe had been photographed in that case, and the license plate was registered to Turner.
The business owner later attended a local automotive gathering where car audio equipment is commonly bought and sold. There, he reportedly spotted Turner and his Tahoe in the parking lot of a Home Depot on Tower Road and notified investigators.
The detective later contacted both suspects to arrange interviews.
Townsend met with the detective on March 4. After being advised of his Miranda rights, he reportedly admitted finding the unlocked vehicle and the audio equipment but said Turner removed the subwoofer. Townsend reportedly told investigators the theft was Turner’s idea and claimed he had only been searching the parking lot for a lost wallet. He also reportedly said he believed Turner still possessed the subwoofer.
The detective later spoke with Turner by telephone. According to the report, Turner admitted being at the parking lot with Townsend and acknowledged he still had the subwoofer. He agreed to meet with investigators and turned over the stolen speaker.
After again being advised of his Miranda rights, Turner reportedly admitted cutting the subwoofer from the vehicle. He denied possessing any additional stolen property, leading the detective to believe Townsend had the amplifier, according to the report.
The recovered subwoofer was returned to the business owner, who pointed out that surveillance footage showed Townsend carrying away the amplifier.
Investigators then contacted Turner again, and he reportedly agreed to retrieve the amplifier from Townsend. A short time later, both men met with the detective, and Turner turned over the amplifier, which was also returned to the business owner.
Although both components were recovered, the business owner told investigators it would cost nearly $1,200 to reinstall the equipment and replace the wiring running from the front of the vehicle to the trunk that had been cut during the theft. The owner told police he wished to pursue criminal charges.
A warrant for Townsend’s arrest was issued May 27, and he was arrested June 13. According to court records, Townsend has juvenile convictions dating from 2017 through 2020 and three adult felony convictions. He previously served a state prison sentence and was released in 2023.
Judge David Kreider set Townsend’s bond at $150,000. He remains in the Alachua County Jail.
A warrant for Turner’s arrest also was issued May 27, and he was arrested June 3. Court records show Turner has a juvenile conviction from 2022 and a pending shoplifting case stemming from a May notice to appear.
Judge Joy Danne set Turner’s bond at $50,000. He has since been released from the Alachua County Jail.
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