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Sheriff announces arrests in recent armed robberies, smash-and-grab burglaries

Written by: September 08 2025
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IMAGE PROVIDED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Sheriff’s officials released surveillance videos and images of two armed robberies, along with two smash-and-grab incidents, that occurred at local businesses over the past two weeks. Deputies arrested two Vero Beach men and a Palm Bay man in connection with the thefts.

The armed robberies were not connected to each other. Deputies said Matthew Zackery Evans pulled out a knife during the robbery at Snappy Food Store. In the other case, Wilburn Bowling brandished weapon, later determined to be a toy gun, during the theft at Speedy Beverage Food Mart, according to sheriff’s officials.

Patrick King carried out both smash-and-grab burglaries at Outback Steakhouse and Autumn’s Crab. Deputies said King used a hammer to break down the front glass doors of the businesses. King stole a cash register with $700 from Autumn’s Crab, along with other items, sheriff’s officials said.

Video provided by Indian River County Sheriff’s Office

 

Deputies arrested Evans, 26, on a charge of robbery with a weapon. Bowling, 63, was arrested on a charge of robbery with a firearm.

Flowers said King, 39, was already arrested in Brevard on similar, unrelated theft charges. Indian River County sheriff’s officials charged King with two counts of burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief.

Evans and Bowling remained held Monday at the Indian River County Jail without bond. King was held at the Brevard County Jail on a $122,500 bond.

The armed robbery at Snappy Food Store occurred August 28 at the business located in the 1100 block of Old Dixie Highway. Deputies said Evans tried to stab and rob a customer.

“The victim fought back so (the suspect) never got his wallet,” Lt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson for the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, previously said. “The victim was not injured.”

The second armed robbery happened two days later at Speedy Beverage Mart located in the 700 block of 27th Avenue Southwest. Deputies said Bowling robbed the cashier at gunpoint and took off with $50, two packs of cigarettes and a lighter.

“We located a male overdosing (on fentanyl) in the backyard of a home in the 600 block of 28th Avenue Southwest,” Flowers said. “As deputies rendered aid, they identified that this was possibly the guy involved in this case.”

Video provided by Indian River County Sheriff’s Office

 

The man, later identified as Bowling, matched the description of the armed robber, according to officials. Deputies searched Bowling’s home and found items taken during the robbery, along with the toy gun and the clothes Bowling wore during the theft: a hat, reading glasses, a t-shirt and tennis shoes.

The smash-and-grab burglaries occurred on August 24. Deputies said King broke into Outback Steakhouse, located in the 6000 block of Elon Lane, and Autumn’s Crab, located in the 6700 block of 20th Street.

Video provided by Indian River County Sheriff’s Office

 

Evans previously served five years in the Florida Department of Corrections for aggravated battery, false imprisonment and possession of a controlled substance, according to sheriff’s officials. Bowling previously served nearly 25 years in prison for two separate robbery cases and uttering a forged instrument.

Evans and Bowling have arraignments at 8:45 a.m. Oct. 16, court records show. King’s arraignment information was not immediately available.

Photos provided

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