Florida Man’s Rock-Wielding Taco Bell Heist

Police officer arrests handcuffed person.

A homeless Florida man who dove shirtless through a Taco Bell drive-thru window armed with a rock has been sentenced to four years in prison, exposing the ongoing crisis of desperation-driven crime that plagues communities when social safety nets fail and law enforcement becomes the last line of defense.

Story Highlights

Kewarren Lee Anderson, 40, received a four-year sentence after diving through a Taco Bell drive-thru window with a large rock demanding money
Ocala Police deployed a K-9 unit that tracked and apprehended Anderson hiding behind a dumpster minutes after the attempted robbery
Anderson admitted homelessness and financial desperation motivated the bizarre July 2025 armed robbery attempt that terrorized restaurant employees
The case highlights growing concerns about late-night business security and the intersection of homelessness with violent crime

Bizarre Armed Robbery Attempt at Ocala Taco Bell

Kewarren Lee Anderson, a 40-year-old homeless man, entered an Ocala Taco Bell at 2380 SW College Road around 12:30 a.m. on July 8, 2025, by diving through the drive-thru window while wielding a large rock. Anderson demanded money from terrified employees before chasing them out of the restaurant. The unusual weapon choice and entry method immediately captured attention, fitting the recurring “Florida Man” phenomenon that highlights bizarre criminal behavior. Despite the dramatic entrance and threats, Anderson fled empty-handed before police arrived on scene.

Swift Police Response and K-9 Apprehension

The Ocala Police Department responded immediately to the armed robbery call, deploying a K-9 unit to track the fleeing suspect. The police dog successfully located Anderson hiding behind a nearby dumpster and bit him during the apprehension. Officers arrested Anderson at the scene, and he received medical treatment for his injuries before being transported to Marion County Jail. This rapid response demonstrates the effectiveness of K-9 units in tracking suspects who flee on foot, preventing potential harm to the community. The department later released body-cam footage of the incident, showcasing their transparency and the unusual nature of the crime.

Sentencing and Criminal Justice Outcome

Anderson was initially booked into Marion County Jail on armed robbery charges with a $50,000 bond following his July 2025 arrest. After court proceedings throughout 2025, including a scheduled August 12 appearance and subsequent trial, Anderson was found guilty. In late January 2026, a Marion County judge sentenced him to four years in state prison with credit for six months and 19 days already served. Anderson now faces approximately three and a half years remaining on his sentence. The case demonstrates that Florida courts treat rock-wielding robberies as serious armed offenses, protecting business owners and employees from violent threats regardless of the weapon’s unconventional nature.

Homelessness Crisis Fueling Desperate Criminal Acts

Anderson admitted to police during his arrest that homelessness and desperate need for money drove him to attempt the robbery. This case illustrates a disturbing trend where social problems manifest as violent crime, placing innocent workers at risk. While compassion for those struggling with homelessness remains important, terrorizing minimum-wage employees working late-night shifts crosses clear moral and legal boundaries. The incident raises questions about how communities address homelessness before desperation escalates to violence. Fast-food establishments increasingly face security challenges during overnight hours when staffing is minimal and vulnerable to such attacks.

Protecting Workers and Community Safety

The Taco Bell employees who fled Anderson’s rock-wielding rampage experienced genuine trauma from being chased out of their workplace by a violent intruder. These workers deserve safe environments without fear of armed assaults during their shifts. The incident serves as a reminder for the fast-food industry to evaluate security measures at drive-thru locations, particularly during late-night hours when criminal activity peaks. Law-abiding citizens working honest jobs should not face such threats, and swift justice in this case sends an appropriate message about consequences. The Ocala Police Department’s professional handling and quick resolution protected the community from a dangerous individual.