Two Gainesville Men Arrested in Waldo Kayak Theft, Assault

WALDO – Two Gainesville men were arrested Thursday, June 19, 2025, after allegedly taking a kayak without permission, damaging it, and, in one case, striking a woman with a car while fleeing the scene.

Deputies with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office responded around 8:30 p.m. to a residence near the Waldo Canal Park boat ramp at 14736 N.E. 152^nd Street, where victims reported two men and a woman had arrived in a silver BMW and taken a red kayak from the embankment without permission.

The kayak’s owner said he confronted one of the suspects, later identified as Carter Wayne Cutter, 19, after the group returned to shore. The man told deputies that the kayak seat had been damaged, estimating repairs at $60. Cutter allegedly punched the owner in the mouth during the confrontation, causing visible bleeding, according to the deputy’s report.

The victim said he and several neighbors became involved in a physical altercation with Cutter and another man, identified as Stephen Medlock, 19. Cutter then reportedly got into the BMW and drove toward three of the victims who were standing in the road. Although they were not blocking his exit, Cutter allegedly accelerated toward them, narrowly missing two and striking a woman in the leg.

All five victims told deputies they feared for their lives as Cutter drove at them.

Deputies later located Medlock at his home in the 7700 block of Northeast Waldo Road. He reportedly resisted being escorted to the patrol vehicle and resisted a search during his arrest. While at the residence, deputies saw Cutter inside and took him into custody after a witness identified him as the driver.

Cutter faces multiple felony charges, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery, theft and property damage under $200.

Cutter has no prior criminal history. Bail was set at $112,000 by Judge Kristine Van Vorst.

Medlock has been charged with property damage under $200 with a prior conviction, theft with two or more prior convictions and resisting an officer without violence

According to records, Medlock has a history of juvenile offenses from 2018 to 2025 and two adult misdemeanor convictions. His bail was set at $14,000 by Judge Van Vorst. He was released from the Alachua County Jail on June 27.

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