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Home Invasion Suspect Taken Into Custody

VICTIM CLAIMS $7,000 TO $8,000 INCOME TAX RETURN TAKEN

Robert George Brown, 21

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By Joe  Seelig | Highlands Today

Published: June 12, 2008

Updated: 06/12/2008 06:15 pm

LAKE PLACID — A suspect in a home invasion robbery Tuesday in Lake Placid remained in Highlands County Jail in lieu of $121,000 Thursday after his arrest on related charges.

Robert George Brown, 21, of 145 N.E. Wilson Way, Lake Placid, was booked into the jail Wednesday on charges of kidnapping to commit or facilitate a felony, home invasion robbery with a weapon (firearm), and grand theft $5,000 or more but less than $10,000.

A 14-year-old victim reported he was home at about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, when Brown knocked at the door and asked for a 22-year-old resident or his girlfriend. The victim told Brown no, so Brown reportedly left.

About 30-45 minutes later, the victim said there was another knock at the door. When he cracked the door open to see who was there, two masked men forced their way inside after a struggle. One wore a red mask and the other wore a black mask.

"Give it up homie," the man in a red mask reportedly told the boy.

Once inside, they demanded money, the report stated. The man in the red mask put a gun to the victim's head, the report stated.

The victim reportedly led the men into one of the rooms where they retrieved a white purse, which contained between $7,000 to $8,000.

As the masked men left, they told the victim they would shoot him if he followed. The 14-year-old victim waited until the 22-year-old victim and his girlfriend returned home. Deputies were called to the scene at about 6 p.m., the report stated.

The 22-year-old later told investigators that he kept his "income tax refund" money in that purse. According to sheriff's records, the 22-year-old victim worked as a laborer for an aluminum enclosure company in 2007, which specializes in swimming pool enclosures, vinyl siding, room additions and replacing screens.

The 22-year-old told deputies he had heard from a neighbor that Brown had "made statements to the effect he was going to do this," the report stated.

Brown was located at his home. During an interview, Brown reportedly told investigators he went to the victim's address to "buy a 'nick' of weed."

When confronted by investigators about a witnesses report that he was seen in the area a second time with his brother, Brown reportedly told them that he went to a friend's house to "solicit help in changing a tire."

When asked if the sheriff's office had any leads in locating a second suspect, Lt. Tim Lethbridge, in charge of criminal investigations, said the case was still under investigation.

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