March 25, 2008
Brandon Haught
Public Information Office

SHERIFF’S OFFICE INVESTIGATES DELTONA ARMED ATTACK 

Armed intruders targeted a Deltona home Monday night, getting away with electronics and drugs. One handgun was displayed during the robbery, but no shots were fired. The lone victim sustained only minor injuries from being struck by one of the two men. 

The robbery happened at 526 Sullivan Street at approximately 10 p.m. A 19-year-old man was home alone when someone knocked on the front door. Brandon Vassello answered it to find two unknown men there, one of them armed with a handgun. They forced their way inside while demanding that the teen hand over money. The victim told them he had no idea what money they were talking about, which prompted the suspects to punch and choke him. The victim then told his assailants his name, believing that they had mistaken him for his older brother. The robbers’ reaction seemed to confirm Vassello’s theory. However, they said they weren’t going to leave empty handed and so they grabbed a television, game system, cash and a small amount of marijuana, and finally fled. The teen said that he was scared the attackers would come back, so he drove to a friend’s house in DeBary. He called 911 from there to report the incident. Responding deputies escorted the victim back to his home where he was treated for his injuries on scene by EVAC ambulance. 

The suspects were described as two black men in their late teens or early 20s. They were both about the same height and weight: 5’10” with thin builds. One had short hair and possibly a goatee. The other man, who was armed with the gun, had shoulder length dreadlocks. They both wore all dark clothes. 

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Chris Teague at (386) 860-7030 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, toll-free, at 1-888-277-TIPS.  Callers to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000.