By Jason Witz
ARCADIA, Fla. — A Punta Gorda firefighter was arrested Tuesday in connection to last week’s home invasion robbery of a prominent DeSoto County family.
Investigators say Ernest Joshua Bowen, a four-year veteran of the fire department, and Arcadia resident Bodustin Blue Price stole more than $100,000 in jewelry and money from the elderly couple.
Price, 29, reportedly confronted victim Phil Turner Sr. with a gun as Turner left his NE Livingstone Street home Friday.
Turner was forced back inside at gunpoint, where he and his wife, Shirley, were bound to chairs, according to the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office.
Price threatened to kill the couple, both of whom are in their 70s, as he looted the house for jewelry and money, the report said.
Price left the couple tied up and ran to the Turner Road area, where he was either picked up or had a vehicle waiting, the Sheriff’s Office reported.
Shirley Turner managed to get to a portable phone and call 911 within 20 minutes of the incident, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Neither victim was injured.
Major Sam Williamson said Bowen, 28, is suspected of planning the robbery, although he would not say if Bowen entered the house with Price.
The agency has not ruled out the possibility that other suspects were involved.
Bowen, a firefighter/EMT with the Punta Gorda Fire Department, was apprehended Tuesday in Charlotte County, while Price was located at a home in DeSoto County.
Williamson said the men attempted to get rid of some of the jewelry, though most of the stolen property was recovered.
Bowen and Price were charged with home invasion robbery, grand theft, dealing in stolen property, possession of a firearm while committing a felony and two counts of kidnapping.
A fire official said the agency has initiated the termination process for Bowen.
“We were shocked and as surprised as everyone else to hear what happened,” said Ray Briggs, training chief for the fire department. “Our hearts go out to the victims.”
The Turner family is well known in the Arcadia community.
Family members own a number of properties in Arcadia, including a realty company, according to the DeSoto County Property Appraiser.
The Turner Agri-Civic Center, which features everything from concerts to high school graduations, was named in the family’s honor after they donated land for the site.
The couple could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Bowen is being held at the Charlotte County Jail; Price is at the DeSoto County Jail. Both have a $500,000 bond. Authorities did not release a photo of Bowen.
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