UPDATED: Armed home invasion in Navarre

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Two Pensacola men are in custody, and three others remain at large following an armed invasion of a Birmingham Drive home in Navarre Wednesday.

Joshua Anthony Gerard, 17, of the 1100 Block of E. Lee St. in Pensacola, was arrested on charges of home invasion with a firearm, a first-degree felony.

Also arrested was Armani Dante Costen, 17, of the 6400 Block of Belview Pines Drive in Pensacola, on charges of battery – a first-degree misdemeanor, and home invasion with a firearm – a first-degree felony.

Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s deputies were called to 3109 Birmingham Drive at 4:45 on July 13, for a reported home invasion.

The homeowner was able to flee the residence and called 911.

The homeowner told deputies that they could still see the five intruders, some with handguns, yelling at the remaining occupants to get on the ground.

At least one shot was fired, according to a press release issued by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies arrived at the home within four minutes.
While the four other suspects fled – two by car, two by foot – Costen remained in the home.

Two suspects were found in a car on Stillwater Cove, then later fled on foot. Gerard, however, was caught.

Deputies set up a perimeter to catch the remaining three suspects. Numerous agencies responded to assist, including the Escambia County Marshal Taskforce, Florida Highway Patrol, Santa Rosa County SWAT, Santa Rosa County K-9, as well as 25 deputies from the SRSO.

The homeowner told deputies that while in their home, a knock was heard at the door at approximately 4:15 p.m. Three unknown black males asked if a person named James lived at the home.

The homeowner replied ‘no,’ and the males left.

Five minutes later, according to the homeowner, the three males returned and forced their way into the home. Gerard was station at the suspects’ car just outside the home.

The suspects shoved one woman holding her baby to the ground, waving a pistol at her in a threatening manner.

Costen told police that he and the other suspects demanded money and food.

One woman went to the refrigerator and grabbed some food, and one suspect yelled at her that he did not want that. The suspect was angered and fired one shot toward the woman, which did not strike her and instead, hit the microwave to the left of her.

Three other male victims in the home attempted to charge the suspects, who then fled.

Both Gerard and Costen were students at Washington High School.

No one was injured.

------------Read the initial press release from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office below--------------------

From Sgt. Scott Haines, Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer:

At approximately 4:45pm on July 13th, Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Deputies responded to 3109 Birmingham Drive, Navarre, FL, in reference to a home invasion.  The homeowner was able to flee from the house and called 911 stating that multiple suspects (Five total) entered the home armed with handguns yelling at the occupants to get on the ground.  At least one shot was fired by one of the suspects, however no injuries were reported.  The homeowner, who was watching from the backyard, was able to tell deputies that at least one suspect was still inside the house. Deputies arrived within 4 minutes.  One suspect was taken into custody at the scene. Two other suspects fled from the scene on foot. Two more suspects fled the scene in a vehicle.  The two suspects and that vehicle were located on Stillwater Cove, Navarre, at which time the two suspects bailed out on foot and ran.  One of the suspects was taken into custody approximately one hour later approximately one mile away.  The other suspect fled into a heavily wooded area.  A perimeter was set up and numerous agencies responded to assist; to include Escambia County Air Unit, FWC, US Marshal Task Force, Florida Highway Patrol, SRSO SWAT, SRSO K-9, and approximately 25 Santa Rosa Sheriff's Deputies.  At the time of this release, the other suspects have not been located.  No other information is known at the time of this release.  Suspect names and charges are not available at the time of this release.  More information will be released as it is received and releasable.