Gainesville man covered in chocolate syrup arrested for domestic battery, criminal mischief

A surprise birthday party led to charges of criminal mischief and domestic battery after GPD officers say a Gainesville man shoved and grabbed his girlfriend before seriously damaging her car early Saturday.

According to an arrest report, Charles James Preston III, 26, arrived home to a "special" surprise birthday party thrown by his girlfriend. The two got intimate, but the girlfriend told Preston she wanted to go to sleep.

The victim told GPD officers that Preston shoved her out of the bed, she shoved him back, and he then shoved her into the closet. She told police Preston held her in the closet against her will, before entering the closet and grabbing her neck and holding her against the wall.

Soon after, the victim told police she ran outside and was chased by Preston. The two argued, and she told police that Preston then began to kick and dent her vehicle before ripping off the spoiler.

Around 4:00 a.m., the victim ran to the Circle K at the intersection of S.W. 34th St. and S.W. 35th Place. When officers arrived, they found her in a onesie and covered in chocolate syrup.

After arriving at the home, officers found Preston in cut-off shorts, covered in chocolate syrup and whipped cream. His girlfriend's vehicle was covered in a white powder, and officers estimated damage in excess of $5,000.

Preston told officers that his girlfriend thought he was cheating on her because of his "performance." He told police that she "started acting crazy," and was packing her bags to leave before she ran out. Preston denied shoving or holding the victim against her will.

As he was being taken to the Alachua County Jail, Preston told officers his girlfriend had stabbed him. While he had a cut on his middle finger, officers still determined he was the primary aggressor.

Preston, whose birthday is Saturday, is being held at the Alachua County Jail on a felony criminal mischief charge and a misdemeanor domestic battery charge.