Man arrested in armed home invasion, Walmart robbery, police say
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. (Fox 35 ORLANDO) - Altamonte Springs police have arrested a man they suspect robbed a Walmart store and was later involved in an armed home invasion.
Brandon Houston, 21, is charged with armed robbery, home invasion robbery with a firearm, and grand theft of a motor vehicle.
According to a press release from the Altamonte Springs Police Department, Houston was spotted by a loss prevention officer at the Walmart at 200 S. State Road 434 stealing items and putting them in his waistband. They say when the officer attempted to escort him back into the store, Houston pulled out a gun, pointed it at the loss prevention officer and then took off on foot.
A short time later, police reportedly got a call about an armed home invasion at the Oasis at Pearl Lake apartment complex, which is located near the Walmart.
The victim claims that Houston entered his apartment, pulled out a handgun and demanded his car keys. Houston took off in the victim's vehicle and refused to stop when officers ordered him to, according to police.
Police say Houston was driving recklessly and they were able to take Houston into custody after he crashed into the front entrance of a residence and a tree off Live Oak Street in Maitland.
Authorities claim they found the gun used in both robberies in the driver side floor board.
Houston was taken to the Orange County Jail.