Sheriff's Office fills in details on search in Daytona Park Estates

Three people arrested so far

By Pat Andrews
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Feb 25, 2013 - 4:58:11pm

UPDATED NOON TUESDAY, FEB. 26 — Here's the full report on what happened in Daytona Park Estates, written by Sheriff's Office spokesman Brandon Haught:

It was an unusual Monday afternoon for one man in his home near DeLand when a neighbor rushed over to him, handed him a 1-year-old child and said, “Here, take my baby, take my baby. I was just held up at gunpoint.” The neighbor then jumped into a truck and sped away chasing the men who had barged into his home and stolen cash from him at gunpoint. The impromptu babysitter called 911 and relayed what was happening as the events unfolded to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office until deputies arrived on scene. Deputies arrested three men, charging them with home invasion and other offenses. The victim and his child were not injured, but one of the suspects was transported to Florida Hospital DeLand to be treated for minor injuries after being captured by a Sheriff’s Office K-9. Another suspect was later taken to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach after a bullet wound was found in his groin area during a search at the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach. Investigators are still searching for a fourth suspect who had fled the scene before deputies arrived.

The chain of events started at about 3 p.m. at 1302 9th Avenue when the 37-year-old victim was home with his young daughter and saw four men with their faces covered and brandishing guns approach a back door. The suspects stormed inside and demanded money from the victim who handed over more than $5,000. After quickly looking around the house, the suspects fled. The victim then ran across the street, dropped his daughter off with a neighbor and asked him to call 911. He went back to his house, got into his truck and took off after the suspects who were on foot. Deputies, DeLand Police Department officers and a Sheriff’s Office helicopter responded. The first deputy on scene met with the victim near the intersection of 8th Avenue and Laurell Avenue. The victim pointed out the two fleeing suspects and after a brief foot chase the deputy captured Jose Santana, 25 (DOB: 7/13/1987), and James Tailor, 19 (DOB: 7/1/1993).

A Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit then searched the area and captured a third suspect hiding in the woods. Jason Allen, 31 (DOB: 11/18/1981), sustained a minor injury to his right leg after being bit by the dog. All three men were charged with armed home invasion and grand theft. Tailor and Santana were also charged with possession of marijuana over 20 grams after the drug was found in a backpack in the area where they were captured along with a BB gun. Allen was also charged with possession of a controlled substance after a baggie with some pills was found in his pocket and he was also arrested on a violation of probation warrant. It’s not believed that the home invasion was a random act, but the motivation is still under investigation.

The defendants were transported to the Branch Jail in Daytona Beach and during a strip search there it was discovered that Santana had a non life-threatening bullet wound in his groin area. Santana couldn’t provide any details about how he sustained the injury other than stating it happened when he was running to hide.

PREVIOUSLY REPORTED — An incident that started around 3:15 p.m. on 9th Avenue has Volusia County Sheriff's deputies combing Daytona Park Estates on the east side of DeLand, and has resulted in three arrests so far, Sheriff's Office spokesman Brandon Haught said.

The search began after a resident called dispatch and said that a neighbor dropped off his child at the resident's house. The neigbhor said he had been robbed, then took off, apparently chasing the robber or robbers. The alleged victim returned once, then took off again.

Residents told The Beacon at least 10 deputies, some in marked cars and some in unmarked cars are searching the area, as well as a Sheriff's Office helicopter.

Beacon staff member Joni Kramer said deputies stopped her as she headed into the neighborhood after work, around 4:30 p.m.

A deputy told her, "You don't want to be here. It's not safe. We're wearing bullet proof vests," Kramer said.

The deputy told Kramer to stay inside.

A substantial amount of cash was taken during the robbery, according to reports, Haught said.

Deputies arrested three people, and are still sorting things out.

"There's a report of a suspicious vehicle in the area," Haught said. "We're still looking to see how many folks we can round up."

No injuries have been reported.

— Pat@beacononlinenews.com

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