A 57-year-old Ocala man was arrested nearly two months after allegedly robbing another man at knifepoint outside a local convenience store.
The incident occurred on December 9, 2024, outside the Quick King convenience store located at 6701 SW Highway 200 in Ocala. A male victim told the Marion County Sheriff’s Office that another man – later identified as Jose Francisco Rivera – approached him near the ice cooler on the side of the building and demanded money, according to the arrest report.
The victim stated that Rivera had his hands in his front jacket pockets, which led him to believe that Rivera “may have a gun.” Rivera then allegedly grabbed the victim’s arm with one hand while using the other hand to reach into the victim’s pockets and steal approximately $600 in cash.
The report stated that the victim soon realized that Rivera was holding a black knife. According to the victim’s statement, Rivera cut the victim’s hand with the knife before fleeing from the area.
The victim then ran inside the convenience store, and a clerk called 911. A corporal noted in the report that the victim did not know Rivera prior to the incident.
Paramedics arrived on scene and transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.
During an ensuing investigation, an MCSO detective obtained a photograph of the suspect’s vehicle, and it was eventually tracked to a warehouse located in the 2400 block of SW 5th Street.
On Monday, February 3, deputies responded to the warehouse, spotted the vehicle, and made contact with a man, Rivera, who was sitting in the driver’s seat. During a pat-down search of Rivera, a “black pocket-style knife” was allegedly found in his pocket, which matched the description of the knife that was provided by the victim.
A criminal history of Rivera revealed that he has an “extensive criminal history out of multiple states,” including at least five felony convictions in Florida, according to the report.
Rivera was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond. He is being charged with robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon.
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.