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Hernando Today

Deputies Searching For Home Invasion Suspects

Hernando Today photo by Bob East III

Hernando county deputies conducted a manhunt for 2 armed suspects in a home invasion robbery earlier Thursday.

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Kyle Martin

Published: January 17, 2008

SPRING HILL - SPRING HILL - A two-minute warning was all Darrell Charles had before three men kicked in his front door and beat him with a pistol Thursday morning.

A cell phone call woke Charles up around 5 a.m. to warn him that someone was coming to his home on Spring Hill Drive.

The victim had just finished hiding his pregnant girlfriend in his baby's room when the assailants burst inside.

"They were thinking I dealt drugs, but I don't," he said.

When he couldn't give them what they wanted, the pistol-whipping began. Charles said he was hit in the back of the head and then the eye and beaten for 2 to 3 minutes.

The suspects made off with $1,000 in cash, but Charles knew who his attackers were.

Investigators said they were arresting Leo Johnson at a home in the 3400 block of Redwing Drive when two other suspects drove by in a white van.

The driver ignored the deputies' commands and sped off, prompting a brief pursuit on Deltona Boulevard, according to the sheriff's office.

The van was found abandoned at Epic Avenue, off Deltona, so deputies fanned out to hunt for the suspects in the area that includes Lake Theresa.

A reverse 911 call was sent to all residents in a 1 1/2 mile radius of Kenway Street and Deltona, alerting them of the dragnet.

Authorities have identified two suspects: Michael Cardona, 24, who was last seen wearing a blue tank top and blue jeans; and Osvaldo Rojas, 25, who was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

Both are considered to be armed with handguns.

Anyone who knows their whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately.

Charles said he didn't feel like going to the hospital, so he's recovering at home.

This attack is not related to the home invasion that occurred Wednesday on Elwood Road in Hernando County.

Photographer Bob East III contributed to this report. Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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