Fernandina Beach police: Juvenile arrested, multiple suspects sought in armed home invasion

A juvenile is in custody and police are working to identify up to five other men accused of holding a group at gunpoint during a home invasion in Fernandina Beach.

The victims told police the masked men were armed with assault rifles and other weapons when they busted into a home on Manatee Avenue around 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

The men who live at the home tell Action News Jax they were having friends over when the group came in through the unlocked door.

According to the Fernandina Beach Police Department, the men had assault rifles, handguns and knives. They were described as young males wearing colored masks.

The suspects pointed guns directly at the victims' heads while stealing money, cell phones and electronics, the victims told police.

Two of the victims said they were struck in the head by the butt of an assault rifle, causing minor injuries.

According to FBPD, the homeowner and a second victim recognized one of the suspects when his mask came off during the robbery.

They told police they played basketball with the suspect, a juvenile, and he'd been to their house.

Police said the homeowner chased the juvenile as he and the suspects fled. He caught him coming out of the woods and forced him back into the house, according to police.

FBPD said the other suspects came back, pointed a gun at the homeowner and demanded he let the juvenile go, but he refused.

The suspects fled in multiple vehicles, FBPD said.

Police recovered a loaded assault rifle with a bullet in the chamber, a large knife, an orange mask and a red bandana in a nearby wooded area.

The juvenile arrested at the scene reportedly admitted to his role in the robbery and stated he needed money to help ill family members.

He told police the other suspects were acquaintances from Jacksonville, FBPD said.

He was booked into to the Nassau County jail, FBPD said.

FBPD said investigators are actively working the case in Jacksonville, attempting to develop leads and recover stolen property.

Cox Media Group