An Ocala man accused of tying up an elderly couple, rummaging through their home, and stealing their car will spend at least three decades behind bars after a Marion County jury found him guilty of multiple charges, including armed robbery.
Last week, a two-day trial came to an end when jurors found 57-year-old Robert Leroy Connor II guilty of robbery with a firearm, two counts of false imprisonment while armed, and grand theft of a motor vehicle in connection with an incident that occurred in 2023.
When the elderly victims answered the door, Connor was sweating profusely and asked them for a glass of water.
After the victims gave Connor some water to drink, he asked to borrow their phone to make a call. However, when the victims handed Connor a phone, he did not use it.
Connor then asked for money from the victims and demanded to know their bank account information. He then proceeded to point a firearm at one of the victims before tying both of them up and rummaging through their home. He soon found the keys to the victims’ vehicle and headed towards the garage.
The victims were able to break free, and they managed to lock the door behind Connor when he entered the garage. He attempted to kick the door open before stealing their car and leaving the area.
The stolen vehicle was later recovered by law enforcement. Video surveillance footage was also obtained, which showed Connor exiting the vehicle in the same location where it was found by investigators.
In addition, law enforcement swabbed the victims’ vehicle and house for any DNA evidence, and multiple traces of Connor’s DNA were found.
On January 26, 2024, Connor was placed under arrest and booked into Marion County Jail on the armed robbery, false imprisonment, and grand theft charges. He remains in custody while awaiting his sentencing hearing, which is scheduled to take place at 8 a.m. on Wednesday October 15, 2025.
Connor is facing a minimum mandatory sentence of 30 years in prison.