WEST MELBOURNE, Fla. — A Brevard County man is facing multiple felony charges after police say he forced his way into a West Melbourne hotel room armed with a machete, assaulted a woman, and stole cash in the middle of the night.
According to an arrest affidavit, the incident happened just before 4 a.m. on July 13 at the Extended Stay America Premier Suites on Coastal Lane. Detective Kimberly Utster of the West Melbourne Police Department responded to a 911 call from two victims — a woman (V1) and a man (V2) — who identified the suspect as Robert Anthony Gonzalez, a known acquaintance of V1.
V1 told police she had been in a month-long dating relationship with Gonzalez. She said she heard a knock at her door shortly before 3:50 a.m., recognized Gonzalez, but did not invite him in. Gonzalez allegedly forced his way inside using his shoulder and body weight, striking V1 with the door.
Once inside, police say Gonzalez brandished a machete while confronting the victims. V2 reported that Gonzalez took approximately $400 in cash from V1’s purse before putting it in his pocket.
V1 retreated to the bathroom during the confrontation. Before leaving, Gonzalez allegedly tucked the machete into his pants. The victims then called 911.
Following an investigation, Gonzalez was arrested and booked into the Brevard County Jail. Prosecutors formally filed charges on August 7, 2025, including:
- Burglary of a dwelling while armed – First-degree felony, punishable by life
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (two counts) – Third-degree felonies
- False imprisonment (two counts) – Third-degree felonies
- Felony petit theft (two or more prior theft convictions) – Third-degree felony
A separate charge of burglary of a dwelling with assault or battery was listed but not pursued by prosecutors.
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