Tactical Armed Invasion Injures One; Suspects Still At Large
The door of an apartment inside Windemere Apartments off State Road 580 in Dunedin was kicked in early Sunday by armed assailants pretending to be law enforcement officers. One person was injured. Authorities believe it is drug related.
Armed assailants pretending to be law enforcement kicked in the front door inside Windemere Apartments demanding the contents of a safe shortly before 6 a.m. Sunday.
One man received minor injuries and was treated at the scene, according to Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies.
Three to five assailants are still at large. They are described as black males, wearing dark bandanas and armed with handguns. Some have tattoos on their arms.
Deputies believe there to be a drug connection between the victims and the attackers.
Seven people were inside the apartment. Three of them are related. Four others are friends, deputies report. Names have not yet been released.
According to deputies, three to five armed men with dark bandanas covering their faces kicked in a front door at about 5:30 a.m. inside Windemere Apartments where seven occupants were sleeping.
The suspects shouted that they were "Police," ordered the occupants into the living room, and demanded a safe, authorities report. One of the occupants resisted and attempted to flee. He was struck several times in the face with a handgun and thrown against a glass door, authorities report. He was treated for several cuts to the face and nose. He was treated and released at the scene.
The suspects got the safe and fled. It is unclear whether they fled on foot or by vehicle, authorities reprot.
The safe reportedly contained an undisclosed amount of cash, some paperwork, a wallet and keys.
Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputies are asking that anyone with information call 727-582-6200. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.
The investigation is ongoing.
Stay with Patch for updates.
Other Coverage at Windemere Apartments:
- Apparent Shooter at Windemere Apartments Faced Fraud Charges
- Shooter in Apparent Murder-Suicide Left Several Notes
- Silence Surrounds Apartment After San Jose Elementary Student's Death
- Ten-Year-Old Girl Shot By Mother Dies
- Mother Is Apparent Shooter In Tragedy At Windemere Apartments
- Child in Hospital With Life-Threatening Injuries After Double Shooting
Michelle Whitley
12:30 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
That's why you have to be careful of the company you keep. Period. IF it's drug related, you have to expect that sort of thing...it's a dirty world you decide to play in with those choices.
Brynn L
4:21 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
And so the issues go as it relates to crime in Dunedin; drugs, gangs, weapons, invasions (armed) and all the comments that were made about what goes on in Dunedin (Southside and Lyndhurst) and the cops and city turn their heads...And heres a prime example scum smarter than cops...they are still on the streets...People...think REALLY hard about your next Sheriff...and it shouldnt be the current one! Its well know this complex is FULL of drug activity but do you see anyone doing anything???? NOPE....Same ole...nothing is going to change it...Unless the city and cops do...NOT LIKELY!
Maggy Mae
5:32 am on Monday, August 20, 2012
Yep Brynn, I hear you. I just don't see or hear of any proactive policing around here. So the criminals have become fearless. I doubt their "drug connections" had anything to do with hydroponic pot; most likely it's crack and pills. But the current PCSO sure spent a hell of a lot of time and money on that!
If there's a candidate with a plan, I think we'd all like to see it. Check out Swope's Facebook page and ask him the question. He's inviting questions.
Tobey Phillip
5:32 am on Monday, August 20, 2012
You have drugs everywhere It does not matter where you live, 90% of the time it isnt the fault of the place you live. Bottom line its just the people that go bad. Movie stars politics, doctors, lawyers and your own police force even your own child. So don't blame it on the place and area you live it's the people that go wrong. People see things but they are to scared to open their mouth about it. So you that keep quiet are at fault as much as the person that does it. I h ave seen GOOD familys that have kid that go wrong...
Brynn L
9:25 am on Monday, August 20, 2012
Tobey-Not really understanding your comments...BUT it is the responsibility of the PCSO as well as the city to protect its citizens! I haven't kept my mouth shut...still does NO good.
Brynn L
10:04 am on Monday, August 20, 2012
And shame on ALL the apartment complexes that allow this crap to go on among their residents!