GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – Two 18-year-olds from Jacksonville are now charged in connection with a home invasion on Holly Oaks Drive in the Oakleaf area, according to the Clay County Sheriff's Office.
Talint Curtis, 18, was arrested Sept. 16, and Allen Bass was arrested over the weekend. Both are charged with home invasion robbery with a firearm.
According to an arrest warrant obtained by News4Jax, on the night of Sept. 9, Bass, Curtis and two other people knocked on the 19-year-old victim's door before forcing their way into the home. The warrant stated one of the four pointed a rifle at the victim, ordered him onto the floor and then demanded to know where the victim kept his money. Another suspect was also pointing a handgun at the victim, according to the warrant.
News4Jax crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson said home invasions are typically not random.
"Usually, the suspect knows who is behind those doors, know what they are looking for. They are looking specifically for something like drugs, money or jewelry. Whatever the target is, they know what they are looking for," Jefferson said.
The warrant said the victim, who News4Jax has chosen not to identify for safety reasons, told detectives that Curtis was the person holding him at gunpoint with a rifle. Detectives noted in the report that Curtis is a known associate of a person who is a co-defendant in the case, but it's not clear whether that defendant has been captured. It also appears authorities are still looking for the other two.
The warrant stated the victim told detectives that the co-defendant went into his bedroom and began searching under the mattress. According to the warrant, the victim recognized the co-defendant by his physical stature and was eventually able to see the co-defendant's face to confirm his identity as one of the four suspects.
While the alleged home invasion was being carried out, the victim's mother was asleep in her room. The warrant stated none of the robbers went into her room. She was unaware of what happened until after the suspects left the house, the warrant said.
Many of the neighbors living on cul-de-sac were aware of the incident. Jefferson said just because it's a nice-looking upscale community not known for violent crime doesn't mean it can't happen.
"No one is exempt from crime. You can live in a gated community. You can live in a non-gated community or a very plush area. It doesn't matter because crime can find its way to you," Jefferson said.
Both Bass and Curtis were ordered held without bond.
Later on Tuesday, News4Jax spoke with Curtis' older brother, who questioned whether authorities had the right person.