A 42-year-old Ocklawaha man is facing several felony charges after his former employer accused him of stealing a semi-truck and trailer.
On December 19, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the 11000 block of SE 195th Avenue Road in reference to the theft of vehicle. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the owner of a local business who advised that one of his semi-trucks with a trailer attached was missing from the premises, according to the arrest report.
The deputy noted that the surveillance camera that was installed inside the semi-truck had been disconnected from the vehicle shortly after 3:05 a.m. on December 19, and the last known location of the camera was in the 10600 block of SE 58th Avenue, near the incident location.
The report stated that a still photo had been captured by the camera shortly before it was disconnected from the semi-truck. After reviewing this photo, the owner identified the driver of the stolen semi-truck as William Victor Bowden, a former employee of the owner’s business.
The owner advised that Bowden had been fired from the business approximately four or five years ago, and the owner added that Bowden has “no involvement with the business or the trucks.”
The deputy and an MCSO detective were both able to confirm that the still photo of the suspect matched Bowden since they had “prior experience with him,” according to the report.
At around 7:10 a.m. on December 19, the sheriff’s office was notified that a semi-truck and trailer had been abandoned in the 11000 block of SE 195th Avenue Road. The report stated that the owner arrived at the scene and confirmed that the vehicle and trailer belonged to his business.
The deputy noted that three batteries ($300 value/each) had been stolen from the semi-truck ($30,000 value). In addition, the key ($10 value) was missing, along with the camera ($1,000 value).
On Thursday, December 28, Bowden was located, arrested, and transported to Marion County Jail. He is currently being held on $35,000 bond, and he is facing the following charges: unarmed burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, grand theft of a motor vehicle, and larceny over $20,000 but less than $100,000.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, according to jail records.