Criminals look to take advantage of people during the holiday season.
They are banking on finding empty homes full of gifts.
But Florida burglars got the worst news of their lives after breaking into a home.
Two illegal aliens make a fatal mistake breaking into a Florida home
A homeowner in Bradenton, Florida managed to fight off a home invasion by two illegal aliens.
The Florida man killed one of the intruders defending his home with a gun.
Jorge Nestevan Flores-Toledo, a 23-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, and 39-year-old Michel Soto-Mella, an illegal alien from Chile, used a crowbar to break into the Bradenton home.
The homeowner had a motion-activated security system that recorded the two intruders busting into his house.
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells said that the homeowner took swift action to protect his family.
“He knew something bad was about to happen and he didn’t stall,” Wells said. “He grabbed his firearm, he told his wife to get into a safe spot.”
The homeowner opened fire on the pair of illegal aliens.
Flores-Toledo was hit several times and Soto-Mella fled the scene.
John Nuceder told Fox 13 that he was visiting family members in the neighborhood when he heard the shots ring out.
“I sat down next to the lanai, the door was open,” Nuceder recalled. “I vividly hear three gunshots.”
The sheriff has a blunt warning for home invaders in Florida
Flores-Toledo was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital where he later died from his gunshot wounds.
Sheriff’s deputies used a K-9 team to track down Soto-Mella who was hiding a few blocks away.
Soto-Mella was in the country illegally after he overstayed his visa.
“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.”
Authorities think that there could be more people involved in the crime.
South American crime rings have been burglarizing homes throughout the country.
Soto-Mella was charged with felony murder because his partner died during the home invasion and armed burglary.
Wells had a warning for anyone thinking about breaking into a home in the Sunshine State.
“The bottom line is, this is the state of Florida,” Wells said. “If you want to break into someone’s home, you should expect to be shot.”
Flores-Toledo had been arrested for burglary in 2023 in Oak Brook, Illinois.
He had an active warrant and was considered armed and dangerous by the police.
Unlike blue states, Florida sheriffs encourage homeowners to defend their property.
Santa Rosa Sheriff Bob Johnson said that shooting intruders would save taxpayers money.
“If someone breaks into your house you are more than welcome to shoot them in Santa Rosa County,” Johnson said. “We prefer that you do, actually.”
The sheriff offered to teach residents how to use a firearm safely.
“You’re not in trouble,” Johnson added. “Come see us. We have a gun safety class we put on every other Saturday. If you take that you’ll shoot a lot better and hopefully you’ll save taxpayers money.”
Florida has a stand your ground law that does not require a homeowner to retreat if there is a threat.
Criminals in the Sunshine State are taking a serious risk of breaking into a home.
DeSantis Daily will keep you up-to-date on any new developments in this story.
