3 teens charged in home invasion robbery of disabled man

4th suspect sought by deputies

BUNNELL, Fla. – Three Bunnell teens were arrested by Flagler County deputies Friday morning and charged in connection with the June 27 home invasion robbery of a disabled Espanola man.

Sean Giddens, 19, Ernest Watson, 17, and Justine Mickens, 17, have been charged with felony counts of home invasion robbery and two counts of grand theft of a firearm.

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Detectives said they're still working to identify a possible fourth suspect.

The victim, 60-year-old Richard Pettit, told deputies that around 11:08 p.m., four men entered his unlocked home on Espanola Road. One of the men, wearing a scarf to cover half his face and armed with a bat, pulled him out of his wheelchair and threw him to the ground, deputies said.

Pettit told deputies he was hit on the head and arm with the bat as his assailant kept asking him, "Where's the stuff?" While he was lying on the floor, one of the men kicked him in his side and stepped on his left foot, cutting one of his toes, deputies said.

Deputies said the four robbers took three shotguns as well as Pettit's wallet containing cash and credit cards before fleeing the scene.

"The detectives have done an excellent job in pursuing all leads in this horrendous case of assault on a disabled individual," Sheriff James Manfre said in a news release. "Mr. Pettit was in his home and suddenly he becomes a victim. These are three dangerous teenagers. I urge anyone with information on the fourth subject to come forward as a community service for your fellow residents."

The teens are all being held at the Flagler County Inmate Facility on $12,000 bond each.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at 386-586-4801 or Crime Stoppers at 888-277-TIPS (2477). Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.