Jacksonville police arrest man wanted for armed burglary, sexual battery

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —

SATURDAY UPDATE: The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said it has identified and arrested a man accused of sexual battery and armed burglary.

Police said an off-duty officer in the Beach Boulevard and Southside Boulevard stopped the suspect, identified as Giovonni Jirah Johnson, 19, for a traffic violation.

During the traffic stop, the officer recognized the scooter matched that of a suspect being sought.

Johnson has been charged with armed sexual battery, armed burglary and false imprisonment, according to JSO.

Action News Jax learned Friday that the incident happened at a Southside apartment complex.

Action News Jax spotted a letter on each door of The Edge at Town Center and obtained a copy from a resident.

It said that the person broke into an apartment through an unlocked door. They approached a person inside with a gun and sexually assaulted them.

Original Story below:

Police need your help finding a suspect who is wanted for armed burglary and sexual battery.

A witness helped police put a sketch together and photos of the suspect on a scooter were released to the public as well.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office say he got away on a black scooter with orange rims and they also say he has a gun.

Police say this happened around noon on Friday.

Action News Jax has learned it happened at a Southside apartment complex.

Action News Jax spotted a letter on each door of The Edge at Town Center and obtained a copy from a resident.

It says that a person broke into an apartment through an unlocked door. They approached a person inside with a gun and sexually assaulted them.

Story continues below:

Action News Jax spoke with two people at the apartment complex who said they were the victims roommate. They were shaken up, wouldn’t say much and didn’t want to speak on camera but confirmed it happened.

A woman who works at a business nearby didn’t want her face shown or name shared, but told Action News Jax it happened during her shift.

“It happened for about an hour that we kept hearing ambulances, even the SWAT team and helicopters were coming out, cops were coming in and asking us questions as well,” she said.

As JSO is asking for your help finding the suspect, the woman said it’s rare for something like this to happen.

“It’s not normal so it was really shocking when we all heard about what was going on,” she said.

Action News Jax also asked the property manager, who wrote the letter to all the residents, for a statement and were told they couldn’t give one out at this time.

Police described the suspect as a Black man in his early 20s with black hair and facial hair. He was wearing a black t-shirt and royal blue shorts.

Anyone who has seen the suspect should not approach him. Instead, call JSO at 904-630-0500 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.

Search for suspect in sexual battery and burglary

Cox Media Group