AUBURNDALE, Fla. — The Polk Sheriff's Office is asking the public's help in tracking down two armed men seen in home surveillance video attempting to beat down the door of an Auburndale home last Saturday morning.
- Home invaders claimed to be with Polk Sheriff's Office
- Homeowner triggered security alarm, causing men to flee
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The homeowner, Randolph Harris, told investigators the two men who tried to break into his house first identified themselves as law enforcement.
"They said Polk County Sheriff," Harris said. "So I opened my blinds up. When I open my blinds, I see two guys, one with their face covered, the other guy had his face half-covered with white gloves on."
The footage captured by the surveillance cameras around Harris's house showed they were no deputies. Further, they showed the men had guns in hand, fingers on triggers.
Harris believes the men were there to rob him.
"I opened up the back door, I was about to run out the back door but I thought somebody was back there," he explained. "So I closed it back, I went back to the front and he was steadily kicking."
"So I go to the front window, I still ... I'm looking at them, the door didn't open one time," Harris went on. "So I made the alarm go off and they ran off."
Investigators are asking for help in identifying the would-be armed robbers. They posted the surveillance video on their Facebook page:
Harris hopes they're found and prosecuted.
"I did my best and I'm still here today, that's what I'm thankful for, but I want them caught," he told us. "And I'm coming to every court date."
If you have any information in this case, contact the Polk County Sheriff's Office. If you wish to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward, you can call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS.