One man wanted in connection with a McMinn County, Tennessee, home invasion remained at large Monday after four men kicked in a woman’s door and aimed rifles at her while demanding her jewelry.
The woman went to her bedroom to retrieve a firearm, according to a news release from the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office, and then locked herself in a bathroom.
Responding deputies arrested one of the alleged participants nearby immediately after the armed robbery Thursday night, and two others wanted in connection with the case were taken into custody over the weekend.
Authorities are seeking Benjamin S. Croft, 28, of Etowah, Tennessee, who is described as white, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing about 205 pounds with brown hair and green eyes, according to a news release. Anyone who sees Croft or knows where he is should call 911 immediately, authorities said.
Three other men are already in custody, including John Percy “Bumper” Barnes, 29, of Athens, Tennessee, who is charged with aggravated robbery; Marcus Bradford, 29, of Cleveland, Tennessee, charged with aggravated robbery, two counts of simple possession of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia; and Daniel Velasquez, 26, also of Cleveland, charged with aggravated robbery, according to authorities and records at the McMinn County Jail in Athens.
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McMinn County Sheriff’s Office / John P. “Bumper” Barnes, 29.Barns and Velasquez are being held on $80,000 bond, and Bradford is being held on a $100,000 bond, according to authorities. Croft, if he’s apprehended, will have an $80,000 bond.
Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, deputies got a call reporting three men with firearms trying to break into a home on County Road 651 and that a woman there had locked herself in the bathroom with a firearm, authorities said in the release. A responding deputy spotted a black Kia Optima “acting suspiciously” and stopped the driver, Bradford, who allegedly matched the suspect descriptions given by the woman.
“The female homeowner was understandably upset,” Sheriff Joe Guy said in the release. “She stated that there were two white males and a Black male that kicked her door in and began pointing rifles at her demanding for her to give them her jewelry.
“She stated that she yelled for them to leave and then retreated into her room to retrieve a firearm, and that all three males then fled the scene,” Guy continued. “The victim gave good descriptions of all the suspects, and based on other evidence the officers found, they were able to positively identify all of them.”
Bradford told deputies during the initial investigation that he brought the other men there and dropped them off, the release states. The men left their wallets and cellphones in Bradford’s car. After searching the surrounding area, Velasquez was found walking down a nearby road, while Barnes turned himself in at the McMinn County Justice Center around 10:30 p.m. Sunday, according to authorities.
“Home invasions in our county are extremely rare,” Guy said. “But this is a crime we will not tolerate. If the public has any information on the two suspects, call and report to 911 immediately, or message me personally on social media.”
The three men in custody have arraignments scheduled in general sessions court this week, court officials said.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.
McMinn County Sheriff’s Office / Marcus Bradford, 29.
McMinn County Sheriff’s Office / Daniel Velasquez, 26.