A 20-year old St. Johns County man was arrested Wednesday afternoon in connection with a home invasion/robbery that occurred early Monday morning. The suspect, identified as Benjamin Leon White, of 300 Whispering Circle in St. Augustine, was booked into the County Jail where he remains in lieu of $250,000 bond. A second suspect is still being sought.
The investigation began Monday morning shortly before 2:30 a.m. when deputies responded to a residence in the 600 block of Francis St. following a report of a robbery. The 24-year old male and 20-year old female victims were awakened by a knock on the door in the early morning hours by the suspect who was an acquaintance. The male victim opened the door and the suspect along with a second unidentified male entered the residence. White then allegedly brandished a handgun demanding money.
The second suspect then punched the victim in the face and asked where the money was kept. The two suspects ransacked the residence and bounded the two victims before fleeing with cash and numerous cellular telephones.
U.S. Marshal’s Task Force located White Wednesday afternoon at an apartment at 200 Whispering Circle, a stone’s throw from Osceola Elementary school, and brought him to the Sheriff’s Office for questioning. A search warrant was served at that residence where detectives recovered a handgun believed to have been used in the home invasion robbery.
Anyone with any information concerning the identity of the second suspect is asked to call Robbery/Homicide Detectives at the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. You can also remain anonymous and possible be eligible for a cash reward by calling CrimeStoppers of N.E. Florida at 1-(888)-277-TIPS.
Ben Dover says
I just wonder why Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson are not using their time and influence trying to reach out to these young black males , teaching them invading people`s homes, robbing people at gun point is not the way to go , again guys like this got Trayvon killed , Black leaders need to get through to these guys but instead blame the system for being prejudiced, its the white mans fault , these thugs and Al Sharpton are the reason cops profile young black men , they commit the crimes and Sharpton supplies the hate that drives them to do it , its a vicious cycle
The Geode says
Jody Medders, Edmond Nathaniel Welch, Julio Allen. All are local “home-invaders”. All are not young. All are NOT Black. Why must you interject racism into everything and then say BLACKS have a problem with racism? This is a common thread perpetuated by the SAME individuals whenever there’s ANY story involving Blacks. Every race commits crime, we just notice the ones committed by those who doesn’t look like us less…
Sgt Saber says
When will America WAKE UP and finally acknowledge that there is an underground culture spreading in this country. A culture of ORGANIZED CRIME that is using the morals and values of GOOD Americans to create a sea of fear and intimidation that has ruined America. While the (use to be ) middle class tries to abide by the Laws and Rules of a Society, these sub-human criminals thrive and feed off our good will and compassion.
Well its time to change our ways and think of these sub-humans as we would an enemy
in a war. We either KILL or be KILLED !!! ………………….. ENOUGH
A.S.F. says
Ben Dover–So, then, what is your explanation for all the crime stories we read about on this very forum, no less, that involve young WHITE men? What fine upstanding White leaders are counseling THEM? It is a tragedy to see ANY young person going down this path. I have heard plenty of white parents making excuses for their kids poor behavior, ad nauseum. Haven’t you? We should ALL be reaching out to, and teaching, our youth a little better than we currently are. Perhaps, we can start by setting a good example ourselves.
Anon says
This is the first time I’ve heard of the US Marshal’s Task Force – getting involved in solving a local crime. I wonder why they are never called upon for Flagler County? Or is there specific criteria or level of violence before they can be called upon?
Give him life says
The home owner should have stood their ground!
blondee says
Because there aren’t enough hours in a week Ben. They’d be busy 24/7.
Shaq says
I agree with you 100%. Although Ben White is my little cousin by blood he knows better and yet he and the rest of the males in my family still does stupid stuff. I’m not going to sit and defend him because everything you said was true.
Ben Dover says
@A.S.F Unfortunately I never had children , my daughter died 20 minutes after her birth , I agree with you, but parents have to be the ones that teach their children right from wrong , I grew up in Englewood , NJ , I had friends that would go up to Englewood Cliffs where huge mansions were and would rob them , they tried to get me to go, but I was taught not to steal or rob from people , they called me a punk and other names I can t use on this site, they all ended up in Jamestown, they never went to school either and their parents were too busy living their lives, they`d throw money at them, and tell em to beat it , where my mom knew if I wasn t in school , she called me into the house for lunch and dinner, she knew what I was up to, don t get me wrong I got into trouble for drinking and smoking pot, but I was only hurting myself, I didn` t rob or hurt others and that`s because unlike my friends parents , who had no idea what or where their kids were , mine took the time to teach me right from wrong , and that`s where it has to start with these young criminals white and black ,mexican, whatever, I tried to go be a big brother , they told me we don t have that program in our area
Sherry Epley says
Here is the link to Big Brothers/Big Sisters for North East Florida (there is one in St John’s County as well):
http://www.bbbsnefl.org/site/c.buIVJgNTKjL6G/b.6479227/k.EFC5/Home_Page.htm
m&m says
Where is Jackson and Sharpton when this hit happens?? It’s hard to play the race card in this situation so they avoid it.