Posted on 02/09/2013 2:04:51 PM PST by rarestia
A Pasco County couple made headlines this week after they say a SWAT team wrongfully busted into their home. But now, the sheriff's office is speaking out.
Carl and Juanita Stark were sitting at their Moon Lake home Tuesday night, when they say they got the fright of their lives.
"I heard the window break, the door busted open and there was a big flash and a bang," said Carl.
"It scared me to death. I thought somebody had broke into the house," said Juanita. "And I thought oh Lord, they're going to kill us all."
But it wasn't a robber. It was the Pasco County SWAT team looking for 36-year-old Aaron Vineyard, who investigators believe is the head of a massive burglary ring on the west side of the county.
Vineyard wasn't there. Infact, it's not even his house.
The Starks say he lives next door and the SWAT team made a mistake. One they say could've put their lives in jeopardy because Carl is on oxygen and one spark could've sent the whole house up in flames.
"They knew Aaron Vineyards lived over here. Because they have been to his house, they have talked to him," Juanita said. "And no. They will never convince me that they thought he lived here."
Not so fast, said Sheriff Chris Nocco. Vineyard is Carl and Juanita's grandson and it's their address on his license. On top of that, the sheriff said a reliable informant led investigators to their home specifically.
"I think what the citizens need to realize is this home had been involved in the burglary ring," said Sheriff Nocco. "The person that we're looking for, Aaron Vineyard, had purchased guns in that house."
The Starks say this never happened.
Investigators finally caught up with Vineyard on Friday at his girlfriends house and arrested him. As for barging into the Stark's home, Nocco said the SWAT team had no choice.
He said Vineyard is a self proclaimed member of the Aryan Brotherhood and is known to carry a gun.
"This could've turned into a violent situation against law enforcement," Nocco said. "The person who should apologize is Aaron Vineyard."
Right now, Vineyard is charged with grand theft and dealing with stolen property, along with drug charges.
The Pasco County Sheriff's Office expects more charges, as well as more arrests, to come.
You mean like Christopher Dorner?
“Why don’t they do an old fashioned stakeout anymore?”<>No need since Waco.
Oh ... wait ...
I’d like to file this article under the “Stupid Florida Law Enforcement Agency Actions” category. God knows, that category is overflowing already.
But this type of crap is happening elsewhere too.
Having the Peoples’ Representatives looking to p0ass more legislation to send the popos out to collect the guns is NOT going to help.
And dangerous for the police. The trend will eventually intersect a homeowner who is ready and “mistakes” the police for intruders. Lives will be needlessly lost.
Being out after dark is not all that healthy these days.
Same thing was asked about Waco.
That covers both Mr. Vineyard and the neighborhood SWAT Teams.
I don’t understand why the police feel the need to bust in on people like this unless there is an imminent threat to someone. Why not wait for the suspect to leave a premise and arrest him in the open?
Because now they have black ski masks, tactical gloves, and combat boot. what fun is it to play dress-up if all you are going to do is knock on the door?
Click the link to be added to the "Whoops. Sorry, citizen. We thought you were someone else" PING list.
i thought warrants were not supposed to be served at NIGHT!!!
LOL... good one
I've been there, barefoot and in a T-shirt, not fun!
They are very fortunate that they were not killed.
What? His fake ID was not correct?
There are better things to do like clearing the streets of newspaper delivery people.
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