Deputy says 2 went to buy marijuana, reported robbery instead

OCALA - Two Ocala men reported being robbed of $1,000 after they went to Northwest 25th Avenue and Northwest 42nd Street to buy a pound of marijuana.

Robert Dodd, 31, called 911 to report gunfire at about 9 p.m. Monday, according to a Marion County Sheriff's Office report. But when a sheriff's deputy arrived he didn't see Dodd, who was hiding in the nearby woods.

The deputy spoke with Silver Springs Water Co. workers in the area, who said they hadn't heard any shots. Then Jason Bosley, 24, showed up looking for his friend Dodd.

Between them, Dodd and Bosley told the deputy their story:

They had made arrangements to meet a man there to buy a pound of marijuana for $1,000. At the meeting location, however, a man wearing a ski mask approached from the opposite direction and spoke with another man who was sitting down.

The masked man had a shotgun and he struck Bosley in the head several times with it. Bosley then gave the gunman the money.

Dodd said he was struck in the leg. He said he heard someone say to shoot him and he ran into the woods and called 911.

Bosley had numerous lacerations on his face and leg and a knot on his head, according to the report. Dodd had only a cut on his leg.

Authorities didn't get a good description of the robbers.

Anyone with information about this case can call the Sheriff’s Office at 732-9111 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.

- Austin L. Miller