3 Arrested in Lakeland Home Invasion

LAKELAND, FL — Three of four people wanted in connection with a Monday morning armed home invasion in Lakeland are in custody. Police say the fourth suspect and the victim’s vehicle are still missing.

The incident in question began to unfold in the 3200 block of Cleveland Heights Boulevard around 12:57 a.m. Nov. 7. Claudia Critton told police she heard her doorbell ring at that time, looked out and saw a person running away.

About five minutes later, Critton told police she heard the doorbell again. That time she opened the door to tell the people to leave her alone. When she did, four people pushed their way into the home and “at least one was armed with a handgun,” an email from police said.

Claudia Critton was tied up, police said, and the suspects threatened her husband if he did anything. The four people then proceeded to take electronic items from the home and some cash. They also drove off in Critton’s 2012 black Buick Lacrosse. The vehicle has Florida tag number BGUC84 on it.

Around 1:30 a.m., Lt. Brent Addison happened to spot a vehicle speeding in the area of Bartow Road and North Crystal Lake Drive. Addison ultimately watched as the vehicle crashed into a ditch at the intersection of Main Street and Don’s Court, the email said.

“Inside the vehicle were three suspects that matched the physical and clothing descriptions provided by the victims,” the email said. “Also, inside the vehicle were several items that were taken from the victim’s residents.”

As it turned out, the vehicle that crashed into the ditch did not belong to Critton. It had been reported stolen out of Kissimmee and was bearing a tag that had been reported stolen in Jacksonville, police said.

As of Monday afternoon, Critton’s Buick remained missing.

The three people inside the vehicle have all been charged with two counts of armed robbery and one count of armed burglary. Issiah Coffy, 19, of Lakeland was among those arrested. The other two are boys from Kissimmee, ages 15 and 16. Patch is not releasing their names due to their ages.

The search for the fourth suspect and the Buick continues.

No further information is being released at this time.

Photo courtesy of the Lakeland Police Department