1 of 2 suspects in hospital after home invasion

According to Gordon County deputies, a husband wrestles away a bat to defend his wife.

CALHOUN — Deputies with the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office were called to a private residence in the Pine Chapel community shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday in response to a reported home invasion.

When deputies arrived, they found one suspect, described as “incapacitated,” inside the home. A second suspect had been chased into nearby woods by a group of armed neighbors.

Responding officers reported Dustin Eugene Freeman, 17, of 421 Beamer Circle, Calhoun, was placed under arrest and taken to Gordon County Jail, where he remains at press time.

Alex Alcantar, also age 17, of 200 Spring Valley Blvd., Apt. 25, Calhoun, was found inside the home seriously injured. He was airlifted to Erlanger Medical Center.

Officers said the suspects burst into the home while a husband and his wife were seated at a table having dinner. Both suspects wore masks and gloves and were armed with bricks and baseball bats.

The male occupant of the home was struck by a brick but was able to wrestle the bat away from one of the suspects and used the bat, apparently on Alcantar, to defend himself and his wife.

Freeman ran away but was caught by the neighbors and held for officers.

Alcantar remains in the hospital at press time under guard.

According to the sheriff’s office, both defendants will be charged with home invasion, armed robbery, burglary, aggravated assault and cruelty to animals.

Detectives have recovered masks, gloves, baseball bats, tape, as well as other items of physical evidence. Detectives also determined the defendants took measures to keep from leaving trace evidence at the scene.

The cruelty to animals charge stems from one of the defendants striking the victims’ dog with a baseball bat during the struggle as the animal attempted to protect its owners.