Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Bobby Matthew King, 43, was arrested last night and charged with armed robbery after allegedly stealing an e-bike at gunpoint from a man who gave him a place to stay.

On September 7, King was reportedly staying at the victim’s home and announced that he was about to leave. He allegedly grabbed the victim’s e-bike, worth about $1,400, and raised his shirt to display a black handgun tucked inside his waistband. King allegedly made eye contact with the victim, said the bicycle was his now, and pushed it out of the residence.

A witness reportedly corroborated the victim’s story.

King was located by Gainesville Police Department officers at about 8:34 p.m. on September 16, near the intersection of NW 13th Street and NW 23rd Avenue.

Post Miranda, King reportedly said the victim let him borrow the bicycle, and it was stolen from him later that evening. He said he found the bicycle again, but it was stolen again while he was sleeping. The officer noted that with these statements, King had admitted to having the bicycle in his possession.

King, who is described as homeless in court documents, has been charged with armed robbery. He has four felony convictions (one violent) and six misdemeanor convictions (one violent) and has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in June 2022. Judge David Kreider ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.