Been hearing more of these cases, of late- I'm sure, for most folks, it happens suddenly enough that upon hearing it, they probably pause a bit too long to be able to defend themselves, if equipped or inclined to do so?
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/19314954/home-invaders-kick-in-door-in-dunedin-make-off-with-cash
Deputies say the suspects kicked in the front door to this Dunedin apartment early Sunday morning.DUNEDIN (FOX 13) - Dunedin resident Luis Rivera has several days of healing in front of him.
His face is busted up a bit and he's a little sore in a few other places. The result of an attack by some violent home invaders who struck at Rivera's just before dawn Sunday morning.
"He kept hitting me over the head with the pistol several times," Rivera said of the incident. "The comments they were making was shoot them, shoot them."
Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies say at approximately 5:30 a.m. a group of masked men kicked in the door to an apartment in Dunedin's Windermere complex.
Seven people including Rivera were fast asleep inside. The suspects allegedly yelled ‘Police,' once they gained access to the home.
The suspects demanded a safe and didn't leave until they got it. The group made off with about $2,500 in cash.
Rivera says this group of criminals knew what they were doing.
"The way they did it was very skilled it seems like something they do regularly," he said. "[It's] not something that's going to come to an end anytime soon."
The violent home invasion bares an eerie resemblance to a pair of similar crimes that occurred in St. Petersburg in June. Surveillance video of one of the crimes shows a suspect yelling ‘Police,' just as they kick open a door.
Detectives say it is unclear if Sunday's home invasion is related to the ones from June. The investigation is just in its early stages.
Other Windermere residents are considering a change of address.
"If I'm home alone I don't want to be concerned about 4 to 5 guys coming in my house," said Akira Mitchell.
Michael Tempesta believes the attackers aren't local.
"It is a quiet place in general," he said of the complex. "I honestly don't think the people that did that are from this area."
Rivera suffered some minor injuries at the hands of the suspects.
"I hope these criminals that put this damage on me get caught," he added.
Witnesses say there were three to five men and all were wearing dark clothing with bandanas across their faces. Some were sporting tattoos.
Investigators believe Sunday morning's home invasion is drug related. If you have any information about the case place contact the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/19314954/home-invaders-kick-in-door-in-dunedin-make-off-with-cash
Deputies say the suspects kicked in the front door to this Dunedin apartment early Sunday morning.DUNEDIN (FOX 13) - Dunedin resident Luis Rivera has several days of healing in front of him.
His face is busted up a bit and he's a little sore in a few other places. The result of an attack by some violent home invaders who struck at Rivera's just before dawn Sunday morning.
"He kept hitting me over the head with the pistol several times," Rivera said of the incident. "The comments they were making was shoot them, shoot them."
Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies say at approximately 5:30 a.m. a group of masked men kicked in the door to an apartment in Dunedin's Windermere complex.
Seven people including Rivera were fast asleep inside. The suspects allegedly yelled ‘Police,' once they gained access to the home.
The suspects demanded a safe and didn't leave until they got it. The group made off with about $2,500 in cash.
Rivera says this group of criminals knew what they were doing.
"The way they did it was very skilled it seems like something they do regularly," he said. "[It's] not something that's going to come to an end anytime soon."
The violent home invasion bares an eerie resemblance to a pair of similar crimes that occurred in St. Petersburg in June. Surveillance video of one of the crimes shows a suspect yelling ‘Police,' just as they kick open a door.
Detectives say it is unclear if Sunday's home invasion is related to the ones from June. The investigation is just in its early stages.
Other Windermere residents are considering a change of address.
"If I'm home alone I don't want to be concerned about 4 to 5 guys coming in my house," said Akira Mitchell.
Michael Tempesta believes the attackers aren't local.
"It is a quiet place in general," he said of the complex. "I honestly don't think the people that did that are from this area."
Rivera suffered some minor injuries at the hands of the suspects.
"I hope these criminals that put this damage on me get caught," he added.
Witnesses say there were three to five men and all were wearing dark clothing with bandanas across their faces. Some were sporting tattoos.
Investigators believe Sunday morning's home invasion is drug related. If you have any information about the case place contact the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.