New York Man Charged With Burglary, Stalking, and Trespassing After Following Woman to Alachua
Update | March 7, 2026: Edited article to reflect the outcome of the case
On May 27, 2025, Umardeo Roopnarine, 52, was convicted of armed burglary in a no contest plea deal and sentenced to three years of prison followed by ten years of probation.
Roopnarine was initially charged with burglary, stalking and trespassing by police. Prosecutors declined to pursue the initial charges but did formally file a count of armed burglary along with one count of aggravated assault and two sexual assault charges. However, prosecutors dropped the aggravated and sexual assault charges the same day Roopnarine's armed burglary plea was submitted.
Roopnarine is serving his sentence in the Suwannee Correctional Institution.
The arrest report states that the victim told the Alachua Police Department (APD) that on August 20, 2024, Roopnarine, who followed her from New York when she moved to Alachua, 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" and said he wanted to speak with the victim.
The first appearance order states the victim has “significant safety concerns.”
Editor's Notes: Prior to the update, the first appearance order was mistakenly quoted as "serious" instead of "significant."
