Gun-Wielding Robbers Caught On Tape
POSTED: Wednesday, July 9, 2008
UPDATED: 1:24 am EDT July 10,
2008
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville police are searching for three men who forced their way into a Fort Caroline home and pointed a gun at a woman and child while demanding money.
The armed robbery took place at about 9:50 a.m. Wednesday in 4500 block of Oak Bay Drive, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Surveillance tape from a video recorder that the victim had placed outside her home shows the men entering the home and leaving with some property.
The victim, Shelita McGowan, said her family only had the camera up for a week. She said before Wednesday's incident they didn't think they really needed surveillance at their home.
The 32-year-old mother said she was at home with her 3-year-old daughter and her mother when the robbers kicked in the front door and terrorized them.
McGowan said the three men dragged her around by the hair while pointing a gun at her head.
"It was like tunnel vision because all I saw was a gun at my head," said McGowan. "They pointed a gun at her head and told her to lay down, they drug me around the house."
Once the armed men left, McGowan immediately called her husband, who rushed home.
The thieves were able to get away with the family's safe and guns the couple had for protection.
"With cowards you can expect anything. You could be in Ponte Vedra or Main Street and get robbed. These crazy people … they don't care," said the victim's husband.
The couple said they're trying to put their lives back together and stay strong for their little girl who witnessed the violent incident.
Police said the robbers fled the home in a light-colored, four-door Cadillac.
Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact the JSO at 904-630-0500 or Crimestoppers at 866-845-TIPS to remain anonymous.
Copyright 2008 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.