Three men were arrested Tuesday, accused of stealing a cache of firearms from an occupied home in the Pine Hills area, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies said.
McKenzie Calixte, 29, Maurice Turrell, 18, and Devonta Lowe 19, are currently in the Orange County Jail, charged with various counts, including grand theft of a motor vehicle, armed burglary of a dwelling with a firearm and resisting an officer without violence.
Investigators say, the three suspects entered a residence in the 6800 block of Rubens Court around 10:00 a.m., and removed 11 long guns and three handguns from a secured safe.
Deputies set up a perimeter around the residence, and based on a description of the suspects and the getaway vehicle provided by a witness, were able to locate one of the men within the perimeter.
A second suspect was seen entering another residence in the 4700 block on Dandelion Drive. Detectives again, set up another perimeter and he was called out and secured.
Calixte arrived at the Dandelion Drive, where it was determined he lives, investigators said.
Investigators say, a 12-year-old girl was at home at the Dandelion Drive address, resulting in a second occupied burglary.
All three suspects, Calixte, Turrell and Lowe were positively identified by the victim and arrested.
A spokesperson from the Sheriff’s Office said, the entire operation lasted over 2.5 hours and 34 patrol units assisted in taking the suspects into custody.
“This response prevented an opportunity for the suspects to distribute or sell these stolen firearms on the street where they would have certainly been used to commit additional violent crimes against our community,” the spokesperson from the Sheriff’s Office added.
