A Homosassa, Florida man was arrested after posing as a Citrus County deputy and holding a couple at gunpoint during a home invasion.
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office said 32-year-old Eric William Johnson was driven to a residence on July 19 by Maynard David Selvog, and when they arrived, Johnson got out of the vehicle carrying an AR-15 rifle that turned out to be an “Air-Soft” rifle.
After getting out of the vehicle, Johnson knocked on the door of an RV and reportedly yelled, “Citrus County Sheriff’s Department.”
He told the victims to leave the RV while he pointed the gun at them, and believing him to be a man of the law, they obeyed.
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Eric Johnson, left, and Maynard Selvog, right, are being charged with armed home invasion and robbery in Citrus County, Florida. (Citrus County Sheriff’s Office)
Johnson continued to hold the two victims at gunpoint, the sheriff’s office said, and at one point the female victim attempted to call 911, though Johnson took the phone down.
Once Johnson was distracted, the male victim ran to a nearby house for help and told police he saw Selvog sitting in the driver’s seat of an SUV parked on the side of the road.
Johnson chased the man to the nearby house and then kicked in the door to gain access to the house.
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The homeowner, victim and Johnson got into an argument inside the home, police said, and the homeowner was able to disarm Johnson and hit him over the head with the butt of the gun.
A man posed as a Florida deputy to gain entry to a couple’s home, then held them hostage at gunpoint, police said. (iStock)
Selvog and Johnson fled the property, but deputies found Selvog in a nearby residence, who revealed where Johnson was hiding.
Johnson, police said, hid in a nearby shed and when deputies found him, he held a gun to his head.
After multiple attempts to get Johnson to follow deputy orders, K-9 Odie was able to apprehend the suspect.
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Police said when Odie grabbed Johnson, he put the gun under the dog’s chin and pulled the trigger, but it didn’t work properly. He tried to shoot the dog a second time, but the gun again misfired.
Deputies intervened and arrested Johnson before taking him to a nearby hospital where he was treated for injuries.
Johnson has been charged with home invasion while armed, two counts of kidnapping to commit a felony, burglary of a home while armed, aggravated assault on a person over the age of 65, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, impersonating a law enforcement officer, battery on a police dog and resisting arrest.
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Selvog was also arrested and charged with robbery of the home while armed and captain in the first degree. He was held on $50,000 bond.
Johnson was held on $201,000 bond and is being held at the Citrus County Detention Center.
Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.
Florida man arrested after posing as a deputy and holding two people at gunpoint
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