DELEON SPRINGS -- A 75-year-old man was assaulted in his DeLeon Springs home early today by two men, one of whom had a gun, who tied him up and took off with his safe, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said.
The 11:20 a.m. armed robbery occurred at 5060 Central Avenue, when two men barged in through the back door and held the victim at gunpoint while they tied him up. Sheriff's officials did not release the victim's name.
The pair then picked up a heavy safe and walked out the back door with it and loaded it into a waiting vehicle. Once his assailants were gone, the victim was then able to free himself and call for help.
The intruders were described as Hispanic men, the first with a handgun handgun, was in his 40s, had dark hair, and wore sunglasses and a light blue denim jacket with dark pants. The pants had a large belt buckle. The other man had dark hair and wore a T-shirt and light-colored pants.
Their car was believed to be a white, four-door vehicle - possibly a Nissan - with dark tinted windows.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Sheriff's investigator Todd Raible (386) 943-7866 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, toll-free, at 1-888-277-TIPS. Residents can also text a tip by texting "TIP231 plus the message" to CRIMES. Tipsters who provide information to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000.