An Ocala man is in custody after deputies say he pistol-whipped a victim, stole his bicycle and scooter, and tried to disguise himself with a plastic mask during a late-night robbery earlier this month.
According to a Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit, deputies were called to a SW 80th Street residence in the early morning hours of Sept. 8 after a man reported being attacked. The victim told deputies he had gone to the property at the invitation of a woman he knew only as “Cici” and was resting in a barn when he was confronted by a man he recognized as Damian Michael Gensler, 35, despite the suspect’s attempt to cover his face with a clear plastic mask.
The victim said Gensler was armed with a silver semiautomatic pistol and quickly turned violent. He told deputies Gensler struck him in the face with the gun, knocking him down and leaving swelling on the left side of his face along with scrapes on his arm. Gensler allegedly pointed the weapon directly between the victim’s eyes and threatened to kill him if he tried to leave with his belongings.
According to the affidavit, the victim was ordered to leave behind his red bicycle, valued at about $1,000, and a small TailGator scooter worth $50. Gensler allegedly made the man walk away on foot while he rode off on the stolen bike, yelling at the victim to move faster.
Deputies documented fresh injuries to the victim’s face and arm. The victim said the weight of the firearm made the blows more damaging than a punch would have been and left him “seeing stars.”
Investigators said Gensler, a convicted felon with a history of burglary, grand theft, and fleeing law enforcement, should not have had a firearm. Deputies also noted the suspect was already wanted in Citrus County for grand theft and was under investigation in multiple property crimes.
The affidavit states that during the investigation, Gensler’s friend insisted he would never pistol-whip anyone — and then mentioned the suspect had been wearing a mask, a detail deputies said had never been shared with him.
Gensler was later identified as the suspect, despite initial confusion in a photo lineup, and has since been apprehended. He is being held without bond on charges of armed robbery with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and wearing a mask during the commission of a felony.
