Home invasion on 8th Ave and 17th St

To all,

You've read the Gainesville Sun article concerning a recent home invasion in our neighborhood (see at end).

I've asked GPD to keep us posted on the progress of this investigation. As I get any information, I'll be forwarding it on to the membership and posting it here. Officer Tirado is the first point of contact in our neighborhood, and he can be reached at:

tiradodj@cityofgainesville.org
(352) 334-2479 - office
(352) 538-6459 - cell

-Jimmy Harnsberger


Man bound, held at gunpoint in N.W. Gainesville home
The 71-year-old was attacked at dusk in the yard of his home off of Eighth Avenue.
By Lise Fisher
Published: Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 6:01 a.m. Last Modified: Friday, July 31, 2009 at 11:42 p.m.

Three robberies occurred overnight Thursday in Gainesville, including one in which a 71-year-old man was attacked and tied up with duct tape, police reported.

For the past several weeks, area law enforcement agencies have been dealing with a series of robberies, some involving home invasions, others at businesses and some as people have been walking through neighborhoods.

The first robbery Thursday night occurred in the 1700 block of Northwest Eighth Avenue, where a man was outside in the yard at about 8:30 p.m., said Sgt. Steve Baker. Two men, both wearing ski masks and armed with guns, wrestled with the older man, pulled him into the house and tied him up with duct tape.

The robbers stole cash from the resident.

Police said the two approached the home from Rattlesnake Creek, which runs through the area.
The man was able to free himself and get outside, where he flagged down help.