By CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 8/21/09
A Chinese food delivery driver told Cape Coral police that she was robbed at gunpoint during the delivery of a food order Wednesday evening.
The victim told officers that she was delivering an order from Haus Garden Chinese to a home in the 100 block of Southeast Seventh Place when a man holding a rifle and an unarmed man robbed her of her cell phone and cash, valued at $228.
The robbery reportedly occurred at about 8:50 p.m.
The victim told officers that the men, who wore black clothing and black bandannas over their faces, took $18 cash, $10 in loose change and her Samsung cell phone.
The armed man stated, "I know you have the money, give me the (expletive) money," the victim reported.
The two men then fled the area on foot, heading west on Southeast First Street, reports state.
Police dusted for latent fingerprints and lifted one print from the victim's vehicle, which was submitted to Cape Coral Police Department forensics.
Officers canvassed the area but did not find or arrest any suspects as a result of their search.
The incident remains under investigation.
Showing posts with label armed robbery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label armed robbery. Show all posts
Friday, August 21, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Shearod jury rejects murder, robbery charges; Finds Cape Coral man guilty of armed burglary
By CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 8/8/09
Damion Shearod is not guilty of felony murder in the shooting death of his friend, John Patrick Moore Jr., 21, during a 2007 botched robbery attempt.
The 22-year-old is not guilty of attempted armed robbery with a firearm.
He is guilty, according to a four-man, two-woman Lee County jury, of armed burglary of a dwelling.
State attorneys spent the better part of a week attempting to convince jurors that on May 16, Cape Coral resident Jacob Seckler shot and killed Moore with Moore's revolver as he and Shearod attempted to rob Seckler at gunpoint.
Shearod, they argued, was responsible for Moore's death because he was a principal to an attempted robbery on Seckler and his wife, Elizabeth Kachnic, at their home.
"For better or for worse, (Moore) got his justice," Assistant State Attorney David Maijala said during his closing arguments Friday. "Today I ask that you give Jacob Seckler his justice. Convict Damion Shearod on all counts."
However, after almost three hours behind closed doors Friday evening, the six jurors reached a unanimous verdict indicating Shearod was not criminally responsible for Moore's death.
"Obviously that wasn't the outcome we were hoping for, but burglary while armed is a serious offense and we were glad to get a conviction on that," Maijala said following the trial's conclusion.
Maijala said he wasn't sure what factors may have contributed to the jury's decision, nor would the jury members comment on the decision as they left Lee Circuit Judge Mark Steinbeck's courtroom late Friday evening.
"If I could read jurors' minds I would win every case," Maijala said.
Shearod's defense attorney, Maria Pace, declined comment Friday.
"One young man has lost his life because of this incident," Pace said during closing arguments. "Myself and Mr. Shearod ask you to go back to the evidence, the conflicts in the state's case, the lack of evidence in the state's case, and return a verdict of not guilty, and give back Mr. Shearod's life."
Shearod took the stand in his own defense Friday, telling his version of the events leading to Moore's death.
Shearod rode with Moore and Moore's girlfriend, Jazzmyne Carrol-Love, from Fort Myers to Seckler's Cape Coral home when told Moore needed to "pick something up," Shearod testified.
Shearod, Moore and Carrol-Love passed Seckler's home, circled the block then returned as Seckler mowed his lawn, Shearod said. Shearod testified that he and Moore got out of the car and Moore brandished a revolver, leading to a struggle between Moore and Seckler over the gun.
Shearod said he shoved Seckler and fled, at which point shots were fired.
"I didn't really know what was going on, I was just scared," Shearod said. "I took off running, because I didn't want to get shot."
Carrol-Love, who was detained by police after fleeing the scene in Shearod's car, was initially charged in the incident. According to court documents, the state did not file charges against Carrol-Love because of insufficient evidence.
Shearod and Moore had never discussed a robbery, and Shearod often gave his friend rides so he thought nothing of the trip to Cape Coral, he told jurors.
"I didn't know where we were going, I just gave him the keys," Shearod testified.
Kachnic also testified Friday, and was called by the defense as a hostile witness for purposes of questioning.
The legal definition of a hostile witness suggests that he or she is considered aggressive or adversarial to the party calling the witness to testify. The ruling allows attorneys to ask leading questions on direct examination, a line of questioning normally only allowed during cross examination.
According to testimony, Kachnic and Seckler both believed an acquaintance of Kachnic's named Carroll Cody was behind the incident leading to Moore's death.
Kachnic, who said Cody cleaned her home, said Cody admitted to stealing a watch valued at $5,000-6,000.
Cody has not been accused as a suspect or charged in the incident.
Neither Kachnic nor Seckler could immediately be reached by telephone Friday evening.
Kachnic was inside her home when Moore and Shearod approached Seckler in the home's front entryway, she said.
"I heard Jacob scream," Kachnic said. "He asked me to call 911."
Friday marks the second time Shearod has faced, but not been convicted of, murder charges.
A jury found Shearod guilty of second-degree murder in the 2005 shooting death of 18-year-old Giannis V. Avrampopulos in Lehigh Acres. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison, however the charge was later dropped, according to court records.
Shearod will be sentenced Oct. 5.
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 8/8/09
Damion Shearod is not guilty of felony murder in the shooting death of his friend, John Patrick Moore Jr., 21, during a 2007 botched robbery attempt.
The 22-year-old is not guilty of attempted armed robbery with a firearm.
He is guilty, according to a four-man, two-woman Lee County jury, of armed burglary of a dwelling.
State attorneys spent the better part of a week attempting to convince jurors that on May 16, Cape Coral resident Jacob Seckler shot and killed Moore with Moore's revolver as he and Shearod attempted to rob Seckler at gunpoint.
Shearod, they argued, was responsible for Moore's death because he was a principal to an attempted robbery on Seckler and his wife, Elizabeth Kachnic, at their home.
"For better or for worse, (Moore) got his justice," Assistant State Attorney David Maijala said during his closing arguments Friday. "Today I ask that you give Jacob Seckler his justice. Convict Damion Shearod on all counts."
However, after almost three hours behind closed doors Friday evening, the six jurors reached a unanimous verdict indicating Shearod was not criminally responsible for Moore's death.
"Obviously that wasn't the outcome we were hoping for, but burglary while armed is a serious offense and we were glad to get a conviction on that," Maijala said following the trial's conclusion.
Maijala said he wasn't sure what factors may have contributed to the jury's decision, nor would the jury members comment on the decision as they left Lee Circuit Judge Mark Steinbeck's courtroom late Friday evening.
"If I could read jurors' minds I would win every case," Maijala said.
Shearod's defense attorney, Maria Pace, declined comment Friday.
"One young man has lost his life because of this incident," Pace said during closing arguments. "Myself and Mr. Shearod ask you to go back to the evidence, the conflicts in the state's case, the lack of evidence in the state's case, and return a verdict of not guilty, and give back Mr. Shearod's life."
Shearod took the stand in his own defense Friday, telling his version of the events leading to Moore's death.
Shearod rode with Moore and Moore's girlfriend, Jazzmyne Carrol-Love, from Fort Myers to Seckler's Cape Coral home when told Moore needed to "pick something up," Shearod testified.
Shearod, Moore and Carrol-Love passed Seckler's home, circled the block then returned as Seckler mowed his lawn, Shearod said. Shearod testified that he and Moore got out of the car and Moore brandished a revolver, leading to a struggle between Moore and Seckler over the gun.
Shearod said he shoved Seckler and fled, at which point shots were fired.
"I didn't really know what was going on, I was just scared," Shearod said. "I took off running, because I didn't want to get shot."
Carrol-Love, who was detained by police after fleeing the scene in Shearod's car, was initially charged in the incident. According to court documents, the state did not file charges against Carrol-Love because of insufficient evidence.
Shearod and Moore had never discussed a robbery, and Shearod often gave his friend rides so he thought nothing of the trip to Cape Coral, he told jurors.
"I didn't know where we were going, I just gave him the keys," Shearod testified.
Kachnic also testified Friday, and was called by the defense as a hostile witness for purposes of questioning.
The legal definition of a hostile witness suggests that he or she is considered aggressive or adversarial to the party calling the witness to testify. The ruling allows attorneys to ask leading questions on direct examination, a line of questioning normally only allowed during cross examination.
According to testimony, Kachnic and Seckler both believed an acquaintance of Kachnic's named Carroll Cody was behind the incident leading to Moore's death.
Kachnic, who said Cody cleaned her home, said Cody admitted to stealing a watch valued at $5,000-6,000.
Cody has not been accused as a suspect or charged in the incident.
Neither Kachnic nor Seckler could immediately be reached by telephone Friday evening.
Kachnic was inside her home when Moore and Shearod approached Seckler in the home's front entryway, she said.
"I heard Jacob scream," Kachnic said. "He asked me to call 911."
Friday marks the second time Shearod has faced, but not been convicted of, murder charges.
A jury found Shearod guilty of second-degree murder in the 2005 shooting death of 18-year-old Giannis V. Avrampopulos in Lehigh Acres. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison, however the charge was later dropped, according to court records.
Shearod will be sentenced Oct. 5.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Defendant says he knew nothing about robbery; Police interviews played for jury
By CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 8/7/09
Jurors listened to audio Thursday of Damion Shearod telling police his version of events leading up to the fatal shooting of his friend during a botched robbery attempt.
An eight-person jury must decide if Shearod, 22, is guilty in connection to the incident that ended with the death of 21-year-old John Patrick Moore Jr., reportedly as the two attempted to rob Cape Coral resident Jacob Seckler at his home May 16, 2007.
Moore was killed when Seckler gained control of Moore's revolver and shot him, and Shearod has been charged as a principal in the death.
He faces the charges of second-degree murder with a firearm, attempted armed robbery with a firearm and armed burglary.
"I just don't want you guys to think I had anything to do with this," jurors heard Shearod tell officers in the recorded interview.
Shearod maintained that he knew nothing of the robbery or of Moore's .357-caliber Magnum Smith and Wesson revolver until Moore pointed it at Seckler.
Moore called him and asked that the two go to Cape Coral with Moore's girlfriend, Jazzmyne Carrol-Love, so Moore could run an errand, Shearod told police.
He said they talked about girls, not a robbery, as they waited for Carrol-Love to arrive at Moore's apartment so the three could leave together.
When the group drove past Seckler's home a second time, Shearod noticed but said he thought nothing sinister of it.
Even as Moore exited the vehicle to approach Seckler in his yard, Shearod said he thought Moore was only picking something up from the residence.
"(Moore) said (to Shearod), 'You better come up there with me,'" Shearod said.
"(Moore) pulls his gun out, says 'Lay down' (to Seckler). I won't ever forget that look. (Seckler) gave us a look like, 'Who are you guys?'"
Shearod said Seckler refused to lay down and a confrontation between Seckler and Moore occurred at the front door, at which point Moore's gun dropped to the ground.
As Moore and Seckler struggled for the gun, Shearod fled, he said.
"I heard three to four shots, and when I looked back I saw my car drive off. I thought (Moore) grabbed the gun and shot (Seckler), so I got scared," Shearod told the officers. "I thought, 'They're going to pin this on me.'"
According to testimony by Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Robert Pfalzgraf, one of the shots fired by Seckler hit Moore in the left side of his back. The bullet severed his pulmonary veins and aortic artery, causing him to bleed to death in Seckler's front yard.
The state rested its case Thursday against Shearod, and the defense will call its first witness at 9:15 a.m. today.
The defense anticipates Shearod will take the stand in his own defense, and council may call one additional witness.
The state may present a rebuttal, then attorneys will give their closing arguments. After the judge's instructions on the law, the jury will begin deliberations.
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 8/7/09
Jurors listened to audio Thursday of Damion Shearod telling police his version of events leading up to the fatal shooting of his friend during a botched robbery attempt.
An eight-person jury must decide if Shearod, 22, is guilty in connection to the incident that ended with the death of 21-year-old John Patrick Moore Jr., reportedly as the two attempted to rob Cape Coral resident Jacob Seckler at his home May 16, 2007.
Moore was killed when Seckler gained control of Moore's revolver and shot him, and Shearod has been charged as a principal in the death.
He faces the charges of second-degree murder with a firearm, attempted armed robbery with a firearm and armed burglary.
"I just don't want you guys to think I had anything to do with this," jurors heard Shearod tell officers in the recorded interview.
Shearod maintained that he knew nothing of the robbery or of Moore's .357-caliber Magnum Smith and Wesson revolver until Moore pointed it at Seckler.
Moore called him and asked that the two go to Cape Coral with Moore's girlfriend, Jazzmyne Carrol-Love, so Moore could run an errand, Shearod told police.
He said they talked about girls, not a robbery, as they waited for Carrol-Love to arrive at Moore's apartment so the three could leave together.
When the group drove past Seckler's home a second time, Shearod noticed but said he thought nothing sinister of it.
Even as Moore exited the vehicle to approach Seckler in his yard, Shearod said he thought Moore was only picking something up from the residence.
"(Moore) said (to Shearod), 'You better come up there with me,'" Shearod said.
"(Moore) pulls his gun out, says 'Lay down' (to Seckler). I won't ever forget that look. (Seckler) gave us a look like, 'Who are you guys?'"
Shearod said Seckler refused to lay down and a confrontation between Seckler and Moore occurred at the front door, at which point Moore's gun dropped to the ground.
As Moore and Seckler struggled for the gun, Shearod fled, he said.
"I heard three to four shots, and when I looked back I saw my car drive off. I thought (Moore) grabbed the gun and shot (Seckler), so I got scared," Shearod told the officers. "I thought, 'They're going to pin this on me.'"
According to testimony by Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Robert Pfalzgraf, one of the shots fired by Seckler hit Moore in the left side of his back. The bullet severed his pulmonary veins and aortic artery, causing him to bleed to death in Seckler's front yard.
The state rested its case Thursday against Shearod, and the defense will call its first witness at 9:15 a.m. today.
The defense anticipates Shearod will take the stand in his own defense, and council may call one additional witness.
The state may present a rebuttal, then attorneys will give their closing arguments. After the judge's instructions on the law, the jury will begin deliberations.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Murder trial opens for man in fatal foiled robbery; Victim and eyewitnesses take stand
By CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 8/6/09
The trial of a Fort Myers man charged as a principal in the shooting death of another during a botched armed robbery began Wednesday.
The robbery victim and eyewitnesses testified against Damion Shearod, 22, in connection to the May 16, 2007, incident.
Shearod is charged with second-degree murder with a firearm, attempted armed robbery with a firearm and armed burglary.
According to witness testimony, Shearod and 21-year-old John Patrick Moore Jr., armed with a revolver, attempted to rob Jacob Seckler at his Cape Coral home at 2125 N.E. First Ave.
Jazzmyne R. Carrol-Love, Moore's girlfriend, waited nearby in Shearod's car.
Seckler was mowing his lawn when Shearod and Moore confronted him with the gun, Seckler told the six-man, two-woman jury.
"I did what people do in wild west movies and put my hands in the air," he said. "I said, 'Are you kidding?' They said, 'You think we're kidding. We'll shoot you right here.'"
Seckler said Moore beat him with the gun in the entryway of the home, until Moore dropped the weapon and Seckler grabbed it, fatally shooting him in the front yard.
"I grabbed the gun," Seckler said. "I did not aim, I just turned around and started shooting."
Shearod fled, attempting to convince Cape resident Lisa Wright to give him a ride, then hiding in the back porch of another nearby home. He was found and detained by the police.
Seckler said he believed one of his wife's acquaintances, Carroll Cody, was behind the robbery, though Cody has not been accused or charged in the incident.
Cody reportedly admitted to stealing Seckler's expensive watch days before the robbery.
Seckler said Cody threatened to pour acid on his wife's face if she tried to get the watch back, though presiding Judge Mark Steinbeck asked the jury to disregard the information.
"I assumed that there was some connection (between Cody and the robbery)," Seckler said.
Carrol-Love also took the witness stand Wednesday, testifying that she saw Seckler shoot Moore.
"I just saw (Seckler) lift his hands and after that, all I remember is (Moore) coming to the end of the driveway and falling," she said. "I jumped into the front seat and I took off because I didn't know if the guy was going to shoot me.
"I had no idea where I was driving to, I just wanted to get from in front of his house because I didn't know what he was going to do," Carrol-Love said. "As soon as I got out of the neighborhood there was a policeman right behind me."
She said she did not realize Moore and Shearod had planned to rob Seckler until they approached him with the gun.
According to Cape Coral detective Walter Herman, Shearod also claimed that he was not initially aware of the robbery.
"He said, 'I didn't know my buddy was going to rob that white guy. I didn't touch the guy,'" Herman told the jury Wednesday.
Seckler testified that Shearod was an active participant in the robbery, and even bit him on the back during a struggle.
Shearod's trial resumes at 9 a.m. today.
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 8/6/09
The trial of a Fort Myers man charged as a principal in the shooting death of another during a botched armed robbery began Wednesday.
The robbery victim and eyewitnesses testified against Damion Shearod, 22, in connection to the May 16, 2007, incident.
Shearod is charged with second-degree murder with a firearm, attempted armed robbery with a firearm and armed burglary.
According to witness testimony, Shearod and 21-year-old John Patrick Moore Jr., armed with a revolver, attempted to rob Jacob Seckler at his Cape Coral home at 2125 N.E. First Ave.
Jazzmyne R. Carrol-Love, Moore's girlfriend, waited nearby in Shearod's car.
Seckler was mowing his lawn when Shearod and Moore confronted him with the gun, Seckler told the six-man, two-woman jury.
"I did what people do in wild west movies and put my hands in the air," he said. "I said, 'Are you kidding?' They said, 'You think we're kidding. We'll shoot you right here.'"
Seckler said Moore beat him with the gun in the entryway of the home, until Moore dropped the weapon and Seckler grabbed it, fatally shooting him in the front yard.
"I grabbed the gun," Seckler said. "I did not aim, I just turned around and started shooting."
Shearod fled, attempting to convince Cape resident Lisa Wright to give him a ride, then hiding in the back porch of another nearby home. He was found and detained by the police.
Seckler said he believed one of his wife's acquaintances, Carroll Cody, was behind the robbery, though Cody has not been accused or charged in the incident.
Cody reportedly admitted to stealing Seckler's expensive watch days before the robbery.
Seckler said Cody threatened to pour acid on his wife's face if she tried to get the watch back, though presiding Judge Mark Steinbeck asked the jury to disregard the information.
"I assumed that there was some connection (between Cody and the robbery)," Seckler said.
Carrol-Love also took the witness stand Wednesday, testifying that she saw Seckler shoot Moore.
"I just saw (Seckler) lift his hands and after that, all I remember is (Moore) coming to the end of the driveway and falling," she said. "I jumped into the front seat and I took off because I didn't know if the guy was going to shoot me.
"I had no idea where I was driving to, I just wanted to get from in front of his house because I didn't know what he was going to do," Carrol-Love said. "As soon as I got out of the neighborhood there was a policeman right behind me."
She said she did not realize Moore and Shearod had planned to rob Seckler until they approached him with the gun.
According to Cape Coral detective Walter Herman, Shearod also claimed that he was not initially aware of the robbery.
"He said, 'I didn't know my buddy was going to rob that white guy. I didn't touch the guy,'" Herman told the jury Wednesday.
Seckler testified that Shearod was an active participant in the robbery, and even bit him on the back during a struggle.
Shearod's trial resumes at 9 a.m. today.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Woman charged with armed robbery
By CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 6/12/09
A Matlacha woman who police say is associated with a recent armed robbery in Cape Coral was arrested and charged Thursday.
Amanda Lee Schaller, 19, was charged with armed home invasion robbery and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
She is being held in the Lee County Jail without bond.
Schaller allegedly was the getaway driver during a robbery at a Cape Coral home Monday night, during which cash and prescription pills were taken.
The robbery was reported in the 700 block of S.E. 6th Terrace at about 8:26 p.m.
A male resident at the home told police Schaller knocked on his windows and rang his doorbell while two African-American males entered his home from the garage, pistol-whipping him in the head and making off with $300 and prescription drugs.
The victim told officers he had seen the robbers flee in a 1997 Chrylser with bungee chord holding the trunk closed, and the last three letters of the license plate "KTF."
Police later discovered a vehicle matching the description registered to Schaller.
Schaller denied involvement in the alleged robbery, according to CCPD arrest reports.
The victim also identified the two male suspects he said entered his home. Due to the fact they had not yet been charged when Schaller's arrest report was filed, police did not identify them by name.
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 6/12/09
A Matlacha woman who police say is associated with a recent armed robbery in Cape Coral was arrested and charged Thursday.
Amanda Lee Schaller, 19, was charged with armed home invasion robbery and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
She is being held in the Lee County Jail without bond.
Schaller allegedly was the getaway driver during a robbery at a Cape Coral home Monday night, during which cash and prescription pills were taken.
The robbery was reported in the 700 block of S.E. 6th Terrace at about 8:26 p.m.
A male resident at the home told police Schaller knocked on his windows and rang his doorbell while two African-American males entered his home from the garage, pistol-whipping him in the head and making off with $300 and prescription drugs.
The victim told officers he had seen the robbers flee in a 1997 Chrylser with bungee chord holding the trunk closed, and the last three letters of the license plate "KTF."
Police later discovered a vehicle matching the description registered to Schaller.
Schaller denied involvement in the alleged robbery, according to CCPD arrest reports.
The victim also identified the two male suspects he said entered his home. Due to the fact they had not yet been charged when Schaller's arrest report was filed, police did not identify them by name.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Man claims he was beaten, robbed at home
By CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 6/12/09
A Cape Coral man was pistol-whipped and robbed at gunpoint of cash and prescription drugs in his home Monday evening, he told police.
The victim reported that two black males entered his home in the 700 block of Southeast Sixth Terrace through the garage, and that one of the suspects hit him in the head with a pistol.
The robbery was reported at 8:26 p.m.
The men took $300 cash and prescription drugs worth approximately $400, then fled south on Cultural Park Boulevard in a white four-door Chrysler, the victim told police. He said the last three letters of the license plate were KTF and the trunk was held closed with bungee cord.
The victim was taken to the hospital for lacerations on the top of his head, and a door leading to the victim's garage was ajar, police reported.
A neighbor told police a white truck had been parked across the street from the victim's home at about 8:10 p.m., but that they had not seen anyone in or around the truck.
Detectives continue to investigate the incident, reports state.
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 6/12/09
A Cape Coral man was pistol-whipped and robbed at gunpoint of cash and prescription drugs in his home Monday evening, he told police.
The victim reported that two black males entered his home in the 700 block of Southeast Sixth Terrace through the garage, and that one of the suspects hit him in the head with a pistol.
The robbery was reported at 8:26 p.m.
The men took $300 cash and prescription drugs worth approximately $400, then fled south on Cultural Park Boulevard in a white four-door Chrysler, the victim told police. He said the last three letters of the license plate were KTF and the trunk was held closed with bungee cord.
The victim was taken to the hospital for lacerations on the top of his head, and a door leading to the victim's garage was ajar, police reported.
A neighbor told police a white truck had been parked across the street from the victim's home at about 8:10 p.m., but that they had not seen anyone in or around the truck.
Detectives continue to investigate the incident, reports state.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
2 accused of home invasion robbery; Cape victims: Men armed with guns, one with sword
Two men allegedly robbed a couple at gunpoint - and swordpoint - Saturday morning in the couple's Cape Coral home.
Derrek Marttila, 20, and Christopher Adams, 21, are also accused of assaulting the couple with pepper spray and striking one of the residents in the head with a gun.
They were each charged by police with armed home invasion robbery and two counts of battery.
The couple told police that Marttila and Adams were armed with guns when they broke into the home on Southwest 44th Terrace at approximately 7:04 a.m. One also was armed with a "silver-plated sword."
Both men covered their faces with what may have been cloth or stockings, the victim reportedly said.
One victim was sleeping on a couch in the living room when the two men broke into the home and sprayed the victim face with pepper spray, reports state. The men forced the victims to lie on the ground at gunpoint while they stole jewelry and nearly $1,000 in cash.
Marttila and Adams reportedly told the victims, "where's the money, give me the money," then fled the scene. Before leaving, the men reportedly removed their masks and were recognized by one victim.
The victims were checked and released by EMS.
Police caught up with the men at Adams' house in North Fort Myers and placed them under arrest.
Marttila later confessed to his involvement in the incident to detectives, reports state.
Derrek Marttila, 20, and Christopher Adams, 21, are also accused of assaulting the couple with pepper spray and striking one of the residents in the head with a gun.
They were each charged by police with armed home invasion robbery and two counts of battery.
The couple told police that Marttila and Adams were armed with guns when they broke into the home on Southwest 44th Terrace at approximately 7:04 a.m. One also was armed with a "silver-plated sword."
Both men covered their faces with what may have been cloth or stockings, the victim reportedly said.
One victim was sleeping on a couch in the living room when the two men broke into the home and sprayed the victim face with pepper spray, reports state. The men forced the victims to lie on the ground at gunpoint while they stole jewelry and nearly $1,000 in cash.
Marttila and Adams reportedly told the victims, "where's the money, give me the money," then fled the scene. Before leaving, the men reportedly removed their masks and were recognized by one victim.
The victims were checked and released by EMS.
Police caught up with the men at Adams' house in North Fort Myers and placed them under arrest.
Marttila later confessed to his involvement in the incident to detectives, reports state.
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