New York Man Charged With Burglary, Stalking, and Trespassing After Following Woman to Alachua

Editor's Notes | The relation between the victim and perpetrator and the chronological order of events is described differently in the motion of pretrial detention in comparison to the arrest report. This article presumes the pretrial detention motion is correct because it is more recent. 

Umardeo Roopnarine, 51, was arrested and charged with burglary, stalking, and trespassing after following his ex-wife from New York to Alachua.

The victim told the Alachua Police Department (APD) that on August 20, 2024, Roopnarine broke into her house and entered her room. She told police she saw him holding a kitchen knife after he turned the light on. Roopnarine reportedly committed sexual assault against the victim and threatened to kill her. The victim called 911.

When APD went to contact Roopnarine, they saw him walking out of the victim’s residence and informed him of the investigation. 

Roopnarine claimed he and the victim had consensual sex and that they moved to Alachua together.  

According to APD Officer Thomas Stanfield, “Due to lack of evidence, no independent witnesses, and conflicting testimonies, no probable cause could be established for an arrest at the time.” Roopnarine was given a trespass warning.  

On August 21, the victim told APD about the stalking and said she moved just to get away from Roopnarine. 

The following day, the victim returned home with her friends to find Roopnarine in her daughter’s room. Roopnarine reportedly put his finger on the victim’s lip and told her to be quiet. The victim’s friends found a way to distract Roopnarine while she called 911. 

After his arrest, Roopnarine told APD that he entered the residence to “shower and rest.” Roopnarine asked APD if he could speak to the victim. 

The State Attorney's Office has filed a motion of pretrial detention on Roopnarine. He is eligible for a $100,000 bond on his trespassing charge but isn’t eligible for a bond on his stalking and burglary charges. 

The first appearance order states the victim has “serious safety concerns.”