A 25-year-old who resides in The Villages is being held without bond at the Sumter County Detention Center after he allegedly stole a case of cigarettes last month.
Zachary Francis Gonnelli who lives on Aloha Way on the Historic Side of The Villages had been out on bond on a charge of attempted first degree murder in Lake County.
On Jan. 24, he allegedly entered the Circle K at Southern Trace shopping center, took a carton of cigarettes and ran out of the store, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. He was identified through the store’s video surveillance. When approached by law enforcement, Gonnelli became combative and made suicidal statements, according to the arrest report. Under provisions of the Baker Act, he was transported to Life Streams Behavioral Health in Leesburg.
A criminal history check showed prior theft arrests and that he was free on $50,000 bond in Lake County on a charge of attempted first degree murder.
Gonnelli was charged with attempted murder following an October incident in which he allegedly stabbed another man with a five-inch kitchen knife.
The 33-year-old victim suffered a collapsed lung, lacerated kidney and his spleen had to be removed as a result of the attack, according to court records from Lake County. Witnesses at the time told law enforcement that the two men had argued when the victim drove his golf cart to Gonnelli’s home and said something. Then Gonnelli left his residence and followed the golf cart on foot. Witnesses reported hearing a scream. The victim was taken by his mother to The Villages Regional Hospital and then transferred to Ocala Regional Medical Center.
Gonnelli had posted bond Dec. 11 at the Lake County Jail and as part of his release, Judge William G. Law had ordered Gonnelli to have no contact with his victim.
