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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Jailhouse tip led to Venice home invasion, police say
They were armed with a crow bar, zip ties and a taser. A newly obtained arrest affidavit that detailed a home invasion in Venice last week revealed two Texas men showed up with one thought in mind. One of the men told investigators they received a jail house tip that a home in Venice would lead them to safes filled with cash and gold. FOX 13's Kimberly Kuizon reports.
VENICE, Fla. - Venice police arrested a third suspect in connection with an armed home invasion on Laurel Road East last week. Police say the Cape Coral man helped plan and facilitate the targeted robbery.
Venice home invasion arrest
The backstory:
According to the Venice Police Department, detectives arrested Frankie Mercado Jr., 43, on Tuesday, for his alleged role in the Sept. 23 home invasion.
PREVIOUS: Venice home invasion suspect claims Dallas jail inmate's tip led to armed break-in
Police said Mercado is an associate of Brevaun Williams, one of two Texas men previously arrested in connection with the robbery. Investigators said evidence showed Mercado provided information about the victim and home, supplied equipment used during the crime and drove the suspects to the area before the home invasion.
Suspect's role
According to police, detectives identified Mercado during the follow-up investigation after developing information about his connection to Williams.
Investigators said witness statements, surveillance footage, License Plate Reader data and other evidence showed Mercado contributed to planning the targeted robbery.
Police said Mercado was familiar with the homeowner through previous business interactions and provided Williams and Justin Mitchell with information about the home.
Courtesy: Venice Police Department
Mercado faces the following charges:
- Home invasion robbery with a weapon
- Kidnapping to inflict bodily harm or terrorize a victim
- Burglary with battery, armed
- Aggravated assault
Initial intruder arrests
Williams, 34, and Mitchell, 34, were arrested shortly after police responded to the Sept. 23 home invasion at a residence in the 3000 block of Laurel Road East.
According to Venice police and previous arrest affidavits, the two men forcibly entered the home, restrained the homeowner and demanded access to safes.
The homeowner was taken to an office and forced to open several safes, including a 6-foot-tall safe, according to the arrest affidavit. She was also tased when she said she could not open one of the safes.
A family member arrived after receiving a panicked phone call. One of the suspects reportedly grabbed the homeowner's handgun and fired toward the family member, who was not struck, according to a VPD arrest affidavit. Police said the bullet went through a closet door and into a hot water tank.
Investigators said the suspects then ran away from the scene.
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office deputies detained Mitchell near Laurel Road East and Ancora Boulevard. Williams was found hiding in nearby bushes and was taken into custody after a police canine was deployed. Venice police K-9 Palmer later recovered the homeowner's handgun.
Dallas jail tip connection
Dig deeper:
The initial investigation indicated the suspects were targeting the home. Police previously said they believed the homeowner and suspects were not known to one another.
A previous FOX 13 report detailed how one of the suspects told investigators that an inmate at the Dallas County Jail, identified only as "Rico," provided information about cash and gold inside safes at the Venice home. Police had not identified the inmate or explained how he knew about the residence.
With Mercado's arrest, police said investigators have accounted for all three suspects connected to the home invasion.
Venice police said the incident remains isolated and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
"From the initial response and apprehension of the suspects to the continued investigative work that led to locating the suspect vehicle and arresting a third suspect, every stage of this case reflected outstanding teamwork and commitment," Venice Police Chief Andy Leisenring said.
Detectives continue to investigate the case.
What you can do:
Anyone with information is asked to contact VPD at 941-486-2444 and reference case number VPD26002104.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from arrest affidavits and press updates provided by the Venice Police Department, including statements from Police Chief Andy Leisenring.