4 arrested in St. Cloud armed home invasion, kidnapping

Cops say intruders forced way into home, tied up mom, daughter

ST. CLOUD, Fla. – Osceola County deputies have arrested four suspects who they say were involved in a January armed home invasion where a mother and daughter were tied up in their home and held at gunpoint for hours.

Gerald Bell, Darryl Battle, Renorah Laird and Angel Barnes were charged with armed home invasion, kidnapping, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and armed carjacking. 

 Deputies said they were called to the home on Rachel Lin Lane on Jan. 29 just after 2 a.m., where a woman and her teenage daughter told them they were held against their will.

According to the report, the teenage daughter was watching TV when her mother's boyfriend was forced into the home by four people. The culprits bound both of them and placed a pillowcase over the girl's head, according to deputies.

At some point, some of the intruders left with the boyfriend while the others stayed at the home, deputies said.

The girl's mother came home around 8 p.m., and the assailants immediately tied her up, deputies said.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the intruders left around 1 a.m. Jan. 29 and the mother and teenager ran to a neighbor's house to report the incident.

Deputies said St. Cloud police officers found the woman's car a short time later on Rummel Road, and her boyfriend was found tied up in the back seat. He was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries, authorities said.

Investigators identified the four suspects and arrested them on felony warrants Tuesday. Deputies said the incident was isolated and the victims were targeted for money.

The investigation is ongoing with additional charges pending.


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