A serial armed robber has been arrested for committing internet cafe robberies in Marion County.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes detectives arrested 39-year-old Christopher Charles Stevenson for the armed robbery of Loretta’s Fun Center internet cafe in Ocala. The Belleview Police Department also charged him with an armed robbery of an internet cafe that recently occurred in their jurisdiction. Stevenson was released from the Florida Department of Corrections’ custody in January 2017 after he served a 10-year prison sentence for his role in a string of armed home invasion robberies targeting business owners in Marion and Alachua Counties.
On Feb. 3, Stevenson robbed Loretta’s Fun Center internet cafe in Ocala at gun point, according to the sheriff’s office. Witnesses told detectives that Stevenson bound their hands and feet with zip ties before he robbed the cafe. Though Stevenson wore a distinct disguise during the robbery, detectives recognized him from the 2006 home invasion robbery cases. Detectives also determined the suspect’s vehicle matched the one registered to Stevenson.
BPD was also investigating a similar armed robbery of an internet cafe that occurred in January. Detectives from both agencies determined Stevenson was the prime suspect in each of the robberies. A search warrant was conducted on Stevenson’s house and car, where detectives found the disguises and clothing worn during both robberies. Detectives also discovered a yellow bank bag taken during the Loretta’s Fun Center robbery.
Stevenson remains in Marion County Jail on $1 million bond.
