CRESTVIEW, Fla. — A suspect in a home invasion robbery near Crestview is now behind bars after an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) deputy spotted him walking down the street Sunday.
Matthew Gafford, 27, was walking in the area of Beal Parkway and Manring Drive when the deputy saw him and took him into custody, according to an OCSO report.
Gafford was arrested on charges of robbery by home invasion, tampering with a victim (deprived use of 911), aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with intent to commit a felony.
Investigators say Gafford went to the victim’s residence on Hill Drive on February 27 and knocked on the door. When the victim opened the door, Gafford reportedly pointed a black handgun at him and pushed him back into the house. The OCSO says Gafford hit the victim on the face with the gun and robbed him of cash and his cell phone before heading out.