On Wednesday around 2:30 a.m. Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an armed home invasion robbery at in Gulf Breeze, Florida. After arriving at the residence, deputies’ report speaking with the victim, Steven Carl Struck about the incident; Struck had an obvious bleeding wound above his right eye, reports said.
Struck stated Tuesday he was corresponding via email and text messaging to who he believed was a white female by the name of Gloria. Struck stated he was looking for a female companion on Craigslist. Reports said Struck stated it was about 2 a.m. Wednesday morning when the white female arrived with an unknown white male. Struck asked her where her vehicle was, reports said. Deputies report Struck said the female told him they couldn't find Struck’s driveway, so they parked about a half block west of the residence under a street light. Struck stated he believed it was a small SUV type vehicle. Struck told deputies he and Gloria, along with the unknown white male, were talking on his front porch. Struck said Gloria asked if she could use Struck’s bathroom. Struck stated Gloria used the hallway bathroom and returned. Struck stated the white male also asked to use the bathroom. Reports said Struck described the white female as mid 20's with blonde straight hair and a poofy stomach about 5"4, 120 pounds. Reports said Struck described the white male as being 5'6” with brown spikey hair, possible thin facial hair, wearing a grey t-shirt and jeans. Deputies said Struck said he saw through his front window the white male was standing in his kitchen area by the island sink. Struck stated he went into his residence and confronted the white male. Struck stated the front door was open and another person, a black male described as 6'1,” red t-shirt and baggy jeans came in behind him. Reports said Struck stated the black male placed him in a rear choke hold, began choking him, while asking "where it at." Struck stated the white male grabbed three hundred dollars off of the kitchen counter.
SRSO deputies report Struck said he was lying on the floor in the foyer area of the residence and he began to move and then another black male entered the residence and they both began striking Struck in his head and face. Struck stated he saw the white male enter Struck’s bedroom and come out with a suitcase containing Struck’s guns. Reports said Struck said they made him go to his bedroom and began striking Struck again. Struck stated one of the black males told him to stay still. Struck stated he was slumped over his bed at that time. Reports said Struck said after everybody left, he grabbed a handgun out of his night stand and his home phone. Deputies report it was then Struck said he called the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office. SRSO deputies said Struck told them 16 firearms were taken along with $300 cash and his cell phone. Struck also stated an unknown amount of ammunition was taken. Reports said deputies observed Struck’s bed sheets to have blood on them, along with an open and mostly empty gun safe. The scene was consistent with the statements made by Struck.
A BOLO alert was issued for the vehicle to surrounding law enforcement agencies. Gulf Breeze Police Department observed a silver 2005 Chrysler Pacifica travelling westbound, occupied by multiple subjects matching the description. Officers attempted a traffic stop and the vehicle engaged in a high speed pursuit into Pensacola. Pensacola Police Department officers continued with the pursuit and lost sight of the vehicle near 12 Avenue and Texar Drive. Within a few minutes, they located the vehicle abandoned in a driveway at 16th Avenue and Texar Drive. Soon after, in the same area, two adult black males, one adult white male, and one adult white female were found walking and/or hiding. Two very young children were also present with them. The vehicle belongs to the girlfriend of one of the black male subjects that was found walking in the area. The four subjects and two children were transported to Pensacola Police Department for further investigation where they are being detained pending formal charges from this agency. An open suitcase full of firearms and ammunition was found inside the vehicle.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Home invasion theft turns violent, leads to car chase