Ocala, Florida – A Florida man who jumped through a Taco Bell drive-thru window while shirtless and threatened workers with a large rock has been sentenced to prison following a chaotic robbery and a later jailhouse altercation. The incident, which unfolded in Ocala last summer, ended with a K9 arrest and multiple felony convictions.
Incident Overview
The robbery occurred in July when 40-year-old Kewarren Lee Anderson entered a Taco Bell restaurant in Ocala, Florida, by climbing through the drive-thru window. According to police, Anderson was shirtless and holding a “large rock” as he demanded money from employees and customers inside the restaurant.
Authorities say the suspect chased everyone out of the building before fleeing the scene on foot, triggering a police search that ended minutes later behind a nearby dumpster.
Timeline of Events
On the day of the robbery, officers from the Ocala Police Department responded to reports of an armed robbery at the fast-food restaurant. Surveillance footage and witness statements indicated the suspect entered through the drive-thru window rather than a public entrance.
After forcing workers and customers to leave, Anderson ran from the scene. A police K9 unit quickly tracked him to a nearby area, where he was discovered hiding behind a dumpster.
Body-camera footage later showed Anderson panicking as officers closed in.
He was seen holding his hands up in surrender when the K9 approached, moments before being taken into custody.
Details From Police and Officials
Investigators said Anderson used the rock as a weapon to intimidate those inside the restaurant. Police confirmed the object was large enough to cause serious harm, which supported the armed robbery charge filed against him.
According to reporting from Ocala-News.com, police described Anderson as having entered the restaurant “clenching a large rock” before demanding money and forcing everyone to flee the building. The outlet detailed how the K9 unit located him shortly after the robbery during a coordinated search.
It remains unclear exactly how much cash, if any, Anderson managed to take before escaping.
Key Facts in the Case
- Suspect: Kewarren Lee Anderson, 40
- Location: Ocala, Florida
- Date of robbery: July
- Weapon used: Large rock
- Arrest method: K9 tracking unit
- Charges: Armed robbery, battery at detention facility
- Sentence: Four years in prison
- Jail: Marion County Jail
Arrest and Jailhouse Incident
Court records show that Anderson was homeless at the time of the robbery. According to an arrest affidavit, he told officers he committed the crime because he needed money.
Just hours after being booked into the Marion County Jail, Anderson was involved in a physical altercation with another incarcerated individual. That incident led to an additional charge of battery by a person at a detention facility, compounding his legal trouble.
Prosecutors later combined both incidents in court, arguing that Anderson posed an ongoing risk to public safety.
Court Outcome and Sentencing
Last week, a jury found Anderson guilty on both charges. The judge sentenced him to four years in state prison, with credit for time already served in the Marion County Jail.
The sentence reflects the seriousness of using an object as a weapon during a robbery, as well as the subsequent violence while in custody.
Legal experts note that Florida law treats improvised weapons—such as rocks or blunt objects—the same as traditional weapons if they are used to threaten or harm others during a crime.
Broader Context and Public Safety
Robberies involving fast-food restaurants are not uncommon due to late operating hours and accessible layouts like drive-thru windows. Law enforcement officials routinely warn businesses to reinforce security around nontraditional entry points, particularly overnight.
Police also stress the importance of compliance during robberies to reduce the risk of injury, while encouraging businesses to report suspicious behavior immediately.
Conclusion
What began as a brazen, shirtless robbery through a drive-thru window ended with a K9 arrest, additional jail charges, and a multi-year prison sentence. The case underscores how quickly impulsive crimes can escalate into serious felony convictions with lasting consequences.
If you’ve witnessed or experienced a similar incident in your community, share your experiences in the comments below.
