The 11 so-called “crankers” were charged with theft and looting of an empty Florida home in an Air Force member 2,000 miles away, authorities said.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd has announced an online fundraiser for Airmen stationed in North Dakota. The saga began on March 16th when Airmen began offering strategic intelligence analysis to support the base's nuclear deterrence mission, known as the Sheriff's Office, after noticing electricity bill spikes at home.
He asked the authorities to check their property.
Mugshots of 11 people accused of stealing Airman's Florida home. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)
“If you've never seen a Clanker colony, you have it now,” Judd said in a video message, holding mug shots of all 11 suspects. “They didn't just break into the house. They ruined the house. They destroyed the house.”
Judd said the suspect had taken everything out of the house. He showed images of garbage and random items on the grass. The suspect lived in a shed near the house where he stole electricity there, Judd said.
The suspect was identified as Brindy Matos, 39. Anthony Maddox, Jr., 31; Dana Pereira, 46; Michael Stone, 38; Jonathan Smith, 21; Beverly Reese, 44; Dwayne Harris, 46; Austin Schiller, 33; Angela Keene, 53; Troy Bumlens, 41; Kera Strickland, 25;
Images of the lawn from the Airman's Florida home unfolded. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)
All have been charged with multiple crimes ranging from drug ownership to maintaining an annoying public structure for drug use. When deputies arrived at the house, Maddox ran away and left Matos, who was seven months pregnant with the child, Judd said.
Matos and Maddox are further charged with robbery and trespassing, among other crimes.
“They all lived together in the colonies, in the colonies and in the colonies and started stealing this house,” the sheriff said.
The image shows garbage and items belonging to an aviator deployed outside his Florida home. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)
Airman said the house is no longer habitable.
“Our memories and photographs were scattered, torn and destroyed by the invading criminals, and decided to squat down on their property,” he wrote. “Doodles and blasphemies were assumed to be spray-painted on the walls and doors of the house, stolen appliances, torn walls, and criminals were looking for something to sell.
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“I have continued my duties at Minot AFB and come back to comfort my mother of sadness after this incredible loss that we had not expected.”
Fox News Digital has contacted Airman.
