Two arrested, sheriff’s office searches for more suspects in McMinn County home invasion

MCMINN COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — The McMinn County Sheriff’s Office is searching for two additional suspects after two men were arrested in connection to a home invasion that happened Thursday afternoon.

Sheriff Joe Guy explained that deputies responded to the call reporting that three men who had firearms were attempting to break into a home on County Road 651. The homeowner had locked herself in the bathroom with her firearm, Guy explained.

According to the sheriff’s office, the woman told deputies that three men kicked her door in and pointed rifles at her while demanding that she give them her jewelry. Instead, she yelled for them to leave and retreated farther into her home to get her firearm, and the men fled the scene.

The sheriff’s office arrested two men on charges in connection to the robbery, and they are searching for two more: Benjamin Scott Crofts and John Percy “Bumper” Barnes, Jr. Guy said they were charged with aggravated robbery.

Croft is 5’10” tall and weighs around 205 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. Barnes is described as 5’11” tall and 195 pounds with black hair and black eyes.

“Home invasions in our county are extremely rare,” said Guy. “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.”

Guy explained that after deputies arrived at the home, one spotted a black Kia Optima on the road acting suspiciously. The driver, identified as Marcus Bradford, was detained as he matched the description of one of the suspects in the home invasion. As he was speaking with deputies, Bradford reportedly admitted that he brought the suspects there and dropped them off and that they left their wallets and cell phones in his car.

Bradford was then arrested on charges of accessory to aggravated robbery, possession of schedule two cocaine, possession of schedule two suboxone, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was taken to the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office and is being held on a $100,000 bond.

As deputies continued to search the surrounding area, they eventually found Daniel Velasquez, another suspect, who was walking down a nearby road, Guy explained. He was arrested on charges of aggravated robbery and is being held on an $80,000 bond.

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