After a three-day trial last week, a Volusia County jury found defendant Carmelo Cruz guilty of Burglary while Armed with a Firearm, two counts of False Imprisonment and Impersonate Officer/Public Employee.
Immediately following the verdict, the Osceola County man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the crimes.
On September 23, 2022, Cruz, who was wearing a mask, a silver law enforcement-style badge and a bulletproof vest, followed a man to his Deltona home. When the victim got out of his vehicle, the defendant threatened him with a rifle and demanded money. The defendant then went into the home and handcuffed the man and his wife.
Eventually, Cruz found a backpack with several hundred dollars and attempted to leave the home. However, the couple followed him outside and began screaming for help. The woman was also able to physically attack him, which caused Cruz to drop various pieces of evidence outside of the home before he left the scene in his vehicle. The items included a suitcase, which contained a utility bill and Delta boarding pass with the defendant’s name on it.
The victims and two neighbors also positively identified Cruz as the defendant.
“The defendant burglarized, bound, robbed, and terrorized the victims while armed with a gun, wearing a mask, and impersonating a police officer.” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about Cruz. “He is a dangerous individual, who at least for the next 30 years, will be off the streets and in the state prison system.”
The case was investigated by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorney Jeanne Stratis successfully tried the case for the state. The Honorable Dawn Nichols presided over the case and pronounced sentence.
