HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Two years after a violent home invasion in Homestead, police arrested a Florida City man Wednesday who they said was believed to be involved in the crime.
The incident occurred in June 2022, when residents of a home near the 100 block of Northwest Eighth Street reported being awakened by two intruders — a man and a woman — who broke into their home while the couple was asleep, according to police.
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Investigators said the male victim began hearing noises and awoke to find 39-year-old Larry Garcia standing over him.
An arrest report stated Garcia threatened the victim by warning him not to move or he would “beat him up.”
The victim, who police said was “in fear for his life” due to Garcia’s size, remained in bed while a female accomplice searched his pockets and stole his iPhone and $230 in cash.
Authorities confirmed Garcia and his accomplice quickly fled the scene in a newer model black Honda Accord with dark tinted windows and silver rims.
Officers arrived shortly after the pair escaped and surveyed the scene.
Investigators found that a window near the front door was shattered by a wooden plank, leading the victim to believe the intruders entered through the broken window.
During their investigation, police found a cigarette butt on the living room floor, which the victim said belonged to Garcia.
Despite this lead, police said they were initially able to link Garcia to the crime.
A couple days later, detectives re-interviewed the victim, who confirmed the details provided to the initial responding officer. The cigarette butt remained the primary piece of evidence, but no DNA match or suspects were identified, authorities said.
However, in May 2024, police received new information that led them to focus on a known individual with a criminal history matching the description given by the victim. Detectives retrieved Garcia’s mugshot and presented it to the victim, however, the victim could not positively identify the man, stating that too much time had passed for him to be sure.
Still, police said they had enough evidence at this time to link Garcia to the crime.
Authorities said they located Garcia in Florida City Wednesday, arresting him just after 1:30 p.m. in connection with the incident.
According to police, Garcia provided a recorded statement denying any involvement in the burglary.
When shown a photograph of the victim’s residence, detectives said Garcia insisted he had never been inside the house and did not know anyone living there.
He eventually said he no longer wanted to speak with the detective, his arrest report stated.
Jail records say Garcia is facing one count of home invasion with robbery without a firearm or weapon.
As of Thursday, he is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond has not yet been determined.
As the investigation proceeds, police are urging anyone with information about the female suspect or the burglary to come forward by calling Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.