Neighbor May Have Seen Assailants Flee Site of Home Invasion

It was an otherwise peaceful Monday morning when a woman was walking her just at daybreak.

But when approaching within a few dozen feet of a home on Chicago Avenue, the woman, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons, heard what she thought was the cry of a loud bird.

Instead, it was very likely the shriek of one of the home's residents.

The residents were the victims of a at roughly 5:30 a.m. The husband was stabbed, and the wife was pistol-whipped. Both he and his wife were hospitalized and treated for what Pinellas County Sheriff's Office later declared non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators do not believe the assault was random. 

The home "has a history of drug-related calls," according to deputies. 

And the neighbor said she may have seen the assailants leaving the Babcock residence.

Shortly thereafter, she said she heard a commotion and saw three men in their 20s or 30s. They had come from behind a fence.

"They came out of the backyard," she said. "It was very odd. One was heavyset."

She said the three men, who were approaching from behind, briskly walked across the street. She said they appeared to be carrying what looked like either a computer monitor or a small TV.

She admitted she didn't think too much of what she saw, until she came home to get ready for work. It's then she learned on the local TV news of the home invasion.

She said she quickly called police. 

"Typically it's pretty quiet. However, there have been a lot of bikes stolen lately and I've had gas stolen from my car," she said. "I don't worry about walking around, but apparently I am going to have to."

Editor's Note: This story was updated shortly after publication Tuesday, May 15 at the request of the witness. Due to the alleged violent nature of the suspects, who have not been captured, Dunedin Patch chose to keep her identity anonymous.

[Last updated Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 10:02 a.m.]