An 18-year-old has been hauled back to Marion County to face charges in the brutal beating of two 72-year-old women earlier this year.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes detectives have arrested Gabriel Bowen on a charge of armed home invasion robbery.
In the early morning hours of July 22, Bowen entered the victims’ home, battered and restrained them, and stole miscellaneous belongings along with their vehicle. Bowen was located several hours later by the Holly Hill Police Department driving the victims’ vehicle. The victims’ stolen belongings were found in the back seat of the car. Bowen was sentenced on the Holly Hill Police Department charges and was extradited back this week to Marion County to face charges here.
The two 72-year-old female victims told MCSO Major Crimes detectives that an unknown assailant, later identified as Bowen, unlawfully entered their home located on SE 3rd Court in Ocala while they were sleeping. One of the victims said she awoke to something being placed over her head and being physically dragged to the bathroom by her shirt. The suspect punched her in the face and grabbed her forearm area. During this incident, she said she was in fear for her life and felt that she was going to die. The other victim stated that she was awakened by the black male suspect standing over her, demanding money. The suspect hit her on the side of her head and forced her to the bathroom at knifepoint. When Bowen got both victims in the bathroom, he tied their hands behind their backs with one of the victim’s oxygen tubing. The victims said they were restrained in the bathroom for approximately 30-40 minutes while Bowen ransacked their home. One of the victims was able to free herself after a period of time and found that he was gone.
Bowen stole TVs, a laptop, jewelry, watches, a cell phone, medication and a credit card from the victims. He also stole their car. Most of their belongings were recovered in their car after Bowen was captured.
Bowen is charged with armed home invasion robbery, two counts of false imprisonment, two counts of aggravated battery on a person 65 years of age or older and grand theft of a vehicle. He was booked at the Marion County Jail on $115,000 bond.
