McMinn County, TN (WOKI) UPDATE 10/1/24: The final suspect in an attempted home invasion last month in McMinn County has been taken into custody.
Officials with the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office say 28-year-old Benjamin Croft was apprehended Monday, September 30 following an extended standoff at a home in Athens.
MCSO says Croft faces numerous charges including Aggravated Burglary related to the attempted break-in of a home on County Road 651 on September 12; he is being held at the McMinn County Jail.
Three other men accused of the attempted home invasion were arrested previously and are also facing aggravated burglary and other charges.
UPDATE 9/16: One suspect remains on the run following an attempted home invasion Thursday night in McMinn County.
Police say one man waited outside while three armed men were trying to break into a home on County Road 651; the homeowner locked herself in the bathroom with a gun after confronting them.
Three suspects are now in custody; John Barnes turned himself into police late Sunday night while the search for 28-year-old Benjamin Croft continues.
Croft is facing aggravated robbery charges.
ORIGINAL STORY: Two people are arrested while deputies continue to search for two other suspects after an attempted home invasion in McMinn County.
Police say three armed men were trying to break into a home on County Road 651 Thursday night, the homeowner locked herself in the bathroom with a gun.
Two responding officers found a car outside and arrested the driver, Marcus Bradford, who matched the description of one of the home invaders.
“The female homeowner was understandably upset. She stated that there were two white males and a black male that kicked her door in and began pointing rifles at her demanding for her to give them her jewelry. She stated that she yelled for them to leave and then retreated into her room to retrieve a firearm and that all three males then fled the scene. The victim gave good descriptions of all the suspects, and based on other evidence the officers found, they were able to positively identify all of them.” Sheriff Joe Guy
Bradford told deputies that he drove the other suspects there and dropped them off. He then told them that they left their wallets and phones in his car, according to Guy.
Deputies searched the nearby area and found another suspect, Daniel Velasuez, walking down the road.
They were both taken to the McMinn County Justice Center.
Deputies identified the other two suspects as Benjamin Scott Croft and John Percy Barnes. They both face aggravated robbery charges.
Sheriff Guy said on Saturday Croft was last seen in McMinn County, while Barnes was last seen in Bradley County. Both suspects are still on the run.
Bradford was charged with accessory to aggravated robbery, possession of Schedule 2 cocaine, possession of Schedule 2 suboxone and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $100,000.
Velasquez was charged with aggravated robbery and being held on a $80,000 bond.
