A homeless man and habitual offender who robbed a man at knife point earlier this year after the man tried to help him out was sentenced to 30 years in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty in Garland County Circuit Court.
Bobby Solomon McGowan, 49, who has remained in custody since his arrest Jan. 29, was originally charged with aggravated robbery, punishable by up to life in prison, but pleaded guilty Tuesday to a reduced charge of robbery with his sentence enhanced by his status as a habitual offender.
McGowan, who was set to stand trial Nov. 18, was previously convicted in 2014 in Pulaski County of residential burglary, theft of property and commercial burglary; in 2009 of theft by receiving of a credit or debit card, and in 2006 of residential burglary, both in Garland County; and in 2001 of robbery, in 1998 of fraudulent use of a credit card, and in 1997 of grand theft, all in Duval County, Fla.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on Jan. 20, shortly after 8:30 a.m., Hot Springs police responded to the 500 block of Ward Street in reference to a robbery and spoke to the male victim.
He said that around 8 a.m. that day he was entering Will's Cinnamon Shop, 1001 Central Ave., when he was approached by a short, bald black male with a "gravelly voice" wearing a black jacket who asked him for money.
The victim told him he didn't have any but agreed to buy the man a cup of coffee and the two of them conversed inside Will's and then the victim agreed to give the man a ride. After they got in the victim's car, the man suddenly pulled out a folding knife and stated he didn't need a ride, he "just needed some money."
The victim offered to take the man to an ATM where he would get him $20. He then drove to the Regions location on Malvern, withdrew $20 and gave it to the man. Then he drove him back to the 1000 block of Central and the man exited the vehicle.
Officers obtained security video from Will's and upon watching the footage immediately recognized the suspect as McGowan. Detective Mark Fallis compared the suspect's image to McGowan's driver's license photo, and after confirming it was the same person a warrant was issued for his arrest.
McGowan was arrested shortly after 6 a.m. on Jan. 29 in the 3300 block of Central Avenue. He pleaded not guilty to the charge on April 9 and was set for a disposition hearing on Aug. 13, but rejected the state's offer.
McGowan was previously arrested Oct. 3, 2018, on a felony charge of breaking or entering and misdemeanor count of theft of property under $1,000 for allegedly stealing money from the cash register at Bathhouse Row Winery, 220 Central Ave., while employees were outside smoking on Aug. 12, 2018.
McGowan pleaded not guilty to the charges on Dec. 17 and a disposition hearing is set for Nov. 25 in circuit court.
McGowan was previously arrested for aggravated robbery on April 17, 2009, for allegedly robbing a man at knife point at Oaklawn Villa Apartments, 230 Manor Circle, but the charge was later withdrawn.
Local on 11/14/2019