An Ocala teenager was arrested Wednesday for tying up two elderly women with their oxygen tubes and stealing their belongings and car in July, Marion County Sheriff’s Office said.
Gabriel Bowen, 18, broke into an Ocala home early in the morning on July 22 while the residents, two 72-year-old women, were sleeping, according to a press release.
One of the women said Bowen placed something over her head, dragged her by her shirt into the bathroom and punched her in the face, according to the release. The other woman said she woke up to Bowen standing over her demanding money.
She said Bowen forced her into the bathroom as he was holding a knife to her, according to the report.
The women told police they were tied with their hands behind their backs by their oxygen tubes in the bathroom for about 30 to 40 minutes while Bowen ransacked their home, according to the release.
Bowen stole TVs, a laptop, jewelry, watches, a cellphone, medication and a credit card from the women. He also stole their car, according to the release.
Holly Hill Police found Bowen several hours later driving the stolen car and arrested him. MCSO detectives found the stolen belongings in the back seat of the car, according to the release.
He was sentenced on charges of auto theft and resisting arrest by HHPD and extradited back to Marion County on Monday to face additional charges, according to the release.
MCSO is charging Bowen with armed home invasion robbery, false imprisonment, aggravated battery and grand theft. He remains in the Marion County Jail in lieu of a $155,000 bond.
