A Florida sheriff has issued a stern warning to potential intruders, stating that they should be prepared to face gunfire. This statement comes after a homeowner in Manatee County opened fire on two masked men attempting to break into his home, resulting in the death of one of the intruders.
The deceased suspect has been identified as Jorge Nestevan Flores-Toledo, a 27-year-old individual from Mexico. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has also revealed that the second suspect, Michel Soto-Mella, a 39-year-old illegal immigrant from Chile, is facing charges of armed burglary, with the possibility of additional charges being added.
According to authorities, the incident took place just after 9 p.m. on a Thursday when the homeowner observed the two men entering his residence through the back, as captured by his video surveillance system.
Michel Soto-Mella is charged with armed burglary, with additional charges pending, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies tracked down Soto-Mella, who was in the country illegally after his 90-day visa expired in September, using K9 units and arrested him a few blocks away, according to the sheriff’s office. The scene was secured and everyone involved was accounted for, posing no threat to the community.
Detectives are currently investigating Flores-Toledo’s background and are “seeking to understand” why he and Soto-Mella targeted the home, according to a statement released by the sheriff’s office Friday afternoon.
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells spoke at a press conference on Friday about the shooting.
“We’re trying to get everything that we can from the [surviving] suspect,” Wells said. “He’s being somewhat cooperative, but he’s not telling us everything.”
At a court hearing, Fox 13 reported Soto-Mella used a translator to tell the judge he did not have any guns.
Manatee County homicide detectives said they believe there may be other individuals involved in the crime.
Flores-Toledo, who also went by the name of Anibal Miller-Valencia, was arrested in Oak Brook, Illinois in 2023 and served four months in jail for residential burglary before being released on parole in November, according to authorities. He had an active warrant for a parole violation and was considered “armed and dangerous.”
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to inquires from Fox News about whether the homeowner is facing any charges. His identity has not been released, as of Friday night.
Fox 13 Tampa Bay‘s Chuck Merlis and Ryan Burkett contributed to this story.
