Police identify suspect in Casselberry home invasion, sexual battery

CASSELBERRY, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - A suspect has been identified behind an armed home invasion, sexual battery, and kidnapping incident which occurred at the Stonecastle Apartments in Casselberry over the weekend.

Casselberry Police on Wednesday announced that they are searching for 32-year-old Benjamin Victor Hovan. 

Investigators said surveillance images captured the moment Hogan was peering into somebody else's house in the Tallahassee area, in another incident.  That's where they believe this man is from, but they do not know if he has ties to Central Florida.

"We have positively linked him via fingerprints in the crime scene and from within the vehicle, " said Casselberry Police Chief Larry Krantz.  "We have had speculations that he may have ties in South Florida, but we have not been able to confirm that at this time."

The suspect's family said they noticed he was missing six to seven days ago. Police also say that he may have some mental health issues.  They said that they've been working very closely with the victims in this case.

Hogan is described as having tan skin, light-colored, curly, shoulder-length hair. He had some facial hair, was of a skinny to average build, and stood about 5 feet, 10 inches to 6 feet tall. The suspect was last seen wearing a blue baseball hat, blue long sleeve shirt, and green shorts. Investigators believe the suspect is homeless.

Police say that the man entered an apartment occupied by two women over the weekend. The suspect sexually battered one of the victims and then kidnapped both by forcing them into a vehicle owned by one of the victims.

The suspect then reportedly drove the victims to a Publix in Maitland, where he ordered one to get money out of the ATM.

"He had one of the victim's stay with him while the other went to the ATM," said Chief Krantz. "This victim was able to notify a Publix employee of what was going on and they called 911 and called notified police. It appears he then became scared, grabbed the keys from the victim entered the victim's vehicle and drove off."

That stolen vehicle, a silver 2006 Toyota Matrix, was located on Tuesday.

Hovan has one vehicle registered to him; It is unknown if it is in his possession at this time: A blue 1998 Ford Ranger, bearing FL tag GAAF69. 

If you see the suspect, please call 911. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).