July 7, 2008
Brandon Haught
Public Information Office

DELTONA HOME INVASION UNDER INVESTIGATION 

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an armed home invasion that happened in Deltona early Sunday morning. Three men burst into the house occupied by a 32-year-old woman home alone. At least one man had a gun, but no shots were fired and no one was injured. The suspects demanded money from the victim and then fled.

 

Merlene Rodney told deputies that she was in her bedroom at 1097 Howland Blvd. when she heard a loud crashing sound at about 2:18 a.m. Suddenly, three men burst into her bedroom. One man who had his face covered with a shirt grabbed Rodney and threw her onto the floor in a closet. He then pointed a handgun at her and demanded money. Meanwhile, the other two suspects ransacked the bedroom. After a couple of minutes, the three men left, escaping through a door in the rear of the house that they had broken through to get inside. It's unknown at this time if the suspects took anything from the home.

 

The only description the victim was able to provide was that the suspects were all black males. The one with the gun wore a short-sleeved shirt and had another shirt wrapped around his head to cover his face.

 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (386) 860-7030 or Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at (888) 277-TIPS. Callers to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000.

 

Additionally, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office has posted a $10,000 reward for tipsters who help authorities solve any home invasion in the county, and the New Smyrna Beach Police Department pledged an additional $1,000. In order to qualify for the reward money, persons with information regarding any unsolved home invasion must call the Crime Stoppers’ toll-free tip line. If the tip leads to an arrest, the caller will be eligible for an initial reward through Crime Stoppers of up to $1,000. If the arrest results in a conviction, the caller will be eligible for up to $11,000 more in reward money.