CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man who it said forced his way into the home of an elderly couple to rob them.
The violent crime happened Saturday night at a home on Pawnee Street in the Lakeside neighborhood of Clay County.
News4JAX spoke to the husband as he sat beside his wife’s hospital bed. He said the violent home invasion began when he opened the door following a doorbell ring.
“Like a fool, I opened the door, and this guy barged in and hit me in the face and was beating on me,” said the husband who went on to say he tried to fight back but the intruder was too much.
Before the husband knew it, his struggle with the intruder went from the front door to the bathroom. He said his partially disabled wife was in the bedroom during the invasion, but he was not able to see what happened to her.
He was also not sure if the man he was tussling with was the only person who came into the house.
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Investigators said the home invasion robbery appeared to be isolated to the couple’s home. Investigators also don’t believe there is a threat to the rest of the neighborhood.
Neighbors who spoke to News4JAX said the home invasion robbery was a rare event in their community.
“It shocked everybody. We saw the police cars all up and down the street here. It caught everybody off guard. It got everybody’s attention. We’re all on edge,” Rick Wisner said.
The elderly couple were taken to the hospital to be treated for their injuries. The husband who is in his 70’s sustained injuries to his face. His wife, who is in her 80’s, suffered a broken arm.
When asked if the husband had a message for his fellow neighbors, he replied: “Don’t answer the door after dark.”
He said the violent intrusion has convinced him to purchase a doorbell camera so he can see who’s at the door when it rings.
According to detectives, the robber not only injured the couple but stole $1,600 in cash, a coin collection worth $500, and a designer suitcase before getting away.
The husband was not able to get a good look at the man, so he could not provide a description.
If anyone has information about the home invasion robbery that could help the Clay County Sheriff’s Office make an arrest, you are encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency at 904-264-6512.