Home » Austin Dees Arrested for Stealing Car, Coin Machine Burglaries in Gainesville

Austin Dees Arrested for Stealing Car, Coin Machine Burglaries in Gainesville

Dees Faces New Charges After Probation Violation and Vehicle Theft

by Sophia Bennett

Gainesville, Fla. – Austin Cordell Dees, 27, was arrested on April 19, 2025, after violating his probation sentence for a prior burglary conviction. However, his legal troubles have deepened with new charges related to a stolen vehicle and burglaries at a local car wash.

The incidents began on April 12, when a used car lot reported the theft of a 2013 BMW. An employee had mistakenly left the keys inside the vehicle, and a dealer tag was attached. The car, which was undergoing repairs at the time, was believed to be inoperable due to mechanical issues. Despite this, the car was stolen and driven away.

On April 15, the vehicle was found abandoned in the 4100 block of NW 9th Street, though the keys were missing, and the car was locked. Gainesville Police did not process the car at that time. Just days later, on April 19, Dees was arrested for a probation violation after failing to report to his probation officer.

Further investigation linked Dees to the stolen vehicle. On April 24, items left behind in the car, including documents bearing his name, led police to interview him. After being read his rights, Dees reportedly admitted to stealing the car because he was homeless and needed a place to stay. He claimed he had intended to return the vehicle, but it broke down, and he left it on NW 9th Street because he was working at a nearby restaurant.

Additionally, Dees was connected to two burglaries at the Oasis Car Wash (402 NW 39th Avenue) on April 15 and 16, where he allegedly used hand tools to pry open the coin-operated machines and vacuums. Security cameras captured his image during the incidents. The damage to the machines was estimated at $4,000, and the coins stolen from the machines were valued at approximately $150.

Dees was interviewed on April 29 about the car wash burglaries, where he reportedly confessed to both incidents. When informed of the estimated $4,000 damage, he allegedly responded, “For the little wall boxes?”

Dees now faces multiple charges, including:

Grand theft of a motor vehicle

Three counts of burglary with property damage over $1,000

Three counts of property damage over $1,000

Three counts of stealing from a coin-operated machine

He also has a prior shoplifting charge with missing court documents. With a history of four felony convictions, including two violent offenses, Dees was previously arrested in November 2024 for thefts from two businesses and a misdemeanor drug charge. In February 2025, he pled nolo contendere to two burglary charges and was sentenced to 30 months of probation, with other charges dropped. However, a warrant for his arrest was issued after he failed to report to his probation officer.

Judge Phillip Pena has set Dees’ bail at $180,000 for the new charges. He remains in custody while his probation case is being resolved.

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