Share and Follow
In a bold series of crimes that alarmed the Lake City community, three individuals have been apprehended following a wave of armed home invasions that took place over the summer. The Lake City Police Department, in collaboration with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, announced these arrests, which are linked to a trio of strikingly similar incidents occurring between August 19 and 31.
Authorities report that the suspects impersonated law enforcement officers, claiming affiliation with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office to gain entry into homes. This deceptive tactic was first employed on August 19, at an apartment complex on SW Zesty Circle. The victims recounted to police how two masked intruders dressed in black forced their way in after yelling “sheriff’s office.” The culprits made off with an iPhone 14 and some cash before disappearing into the night.
A pattern emerged when, on August 28, another home invasion was reported at an apartment complex on NW Huntsboro Street. In this instance, three armed individuals, similarly clad in black, breached the residence using the same ruse of shouting “Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.” Once inside, they once again seized cash and an iPhone, leaving behind shaken residents.
These brazen acts have now led to the arrest of three suspects, bringing a sense of relief to the community and highlighting the effectiveness of the coordinated efforts between local police and sheriff’s deputies in tackling crime.
According to LCPD, a similar situation occurred on Thursday, Aug. 28, at an apartment complex on NW Huntsboro Street. That time, victims reported that three armed suspects wearing all black shouted “Columbia County Sheriff’s Office” before forcing entry — also stealing cash and an iPhone.
Three days later, another home invasion robbery with multiple suspects was reported on SW Petunia Place.
After a joint investigation between the law enforcement agencies, Lake City police says it arrested two men and one woman for home invasion and other charges: Trever Strawder, 26, Ja’Kyris Martin, 20, and Ajahnnie Ward, 27.
“These arrests reflect the outstanding teamwork between the Lake City Police Department and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office,” said Chief of Police Gerald Butler. “Through coordinated investigative work, multiple violent offenders have been removed from our community. We will continue to pursue justice for the victims affected by these crimes.”
