MARION COUNTY, Florida (October 27, 2017) – An Ocala man who was arrested two weeks ago for a violent armed home invasion robbery of two elderly females has now been charged with an additional case. Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes detectives received forensic evidence tying defendant Gabriel Bowen (DOB: 03/20/1999) to another armed home invasion robbery that occurred in Marion County on July 17, 2017.
At approximately 12:30 p.m., on Monday, July 17th, MCSO deputies responded to a call for service regarding an armed home invasion robbery that had just occurred off of SE 80th Place in Ocala. The 74-year old male victim told deputies that he was in his house when he was approached from behind by the suspect, later identified as Bowen. Bowen threatened the victim
with a knife, blind-folded him, bound his feet and hands and locked the victim inside a closet while Bowen ransacked the home. The victim’s wallet, cell phone, currency, firearms and two TVs were stolen during the robbery. The knife that was used to threaten the victim was left at the scene and MCSO’s latent print examiners recovered Bowen’s fingerprints on the knife. One of the victim’s credit cards was used at an ATM and to make several purchases, and detectives discovered that the suspect captured on the ATM’s camera resembled Bowen. The victim added that Bowen asked him for his PIN number during the robbery, giving him access to the victim’s accounts.
Bowen was arrested on October 9, 2017, for the July 22nd Armed Home Invasion Robbery of two elderly female victims, where he battered both victims and tied them up with their oxygen tubing. In addition to his original charges, Bowen is now facing charges of Robbery-Home Invasion with a Deadly Weapon, False Imprisonment, Battery on a Person 65 Years of Age or Older, Possession of a Weapon or Ammo by a Convicted Felon, and Fraud- Illegal Use of a Credit Card. He is currently being held in the Marion County Jail on $177,000 bond.
Lauren Lettelier
Public Information Officer
Office: (352) 368-3594
Cell: (352) 843-4205
