Second of 3 robbery suspects caught

One suspect in a home invasion remains at large after several days and a police chase.

By JOEL ANDERSON, Times Staff Writer
Published January 22, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - One of the suspects wanted in connection with a home invasion and the robbery of a Hampton Inn in Spring Hill last week has been arrested after dodging authorities for several days.

Michael Cardona, 24, of Spring Hill was taken into custody Saturday night and charged with home invasion and robbery. He remained at the Hernando County Jail on Monday in lieu of $250,000 bail on each charge. Another suspect is in jail, while one remains at large.

Cardona was caught after being pulled over while driving along Sealawn Drive in Spring Hill about 9 p.m. Saturday. He surrendered to sheriff's deputies without a struggle.

Cardona and Osvaldo Rojas, 25, who were identified as two of the three suspects in a home invasion Thursday, managed to elude captors for several hours in a chase that swept through several Spring Hill neighborhoods near Lake Theresa.

Rojas remained on the loose Monday. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans and is described as 5-foot-7 and 190 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. His address is 7366 Canterbury St. in Spring Hill.

Authorities consider Rojas to be armed and dangerous. He has an extensive criminal record, including arrests on charges of battery, sexual battery and fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer - twice in 2000.

The third suspect, Leo Johnson III, 36, of Spring Hill remained behind bars on charges of grand theft, home invasion, robbery and violation of probation. He was denied bail because of a criminal history that includes arrests on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of drugs without a prescription and carrying a concealed weapon.

Cardona has also had several brushes with the law, including an arrest in May 2002 on charges of fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer.

Joel Anderson can be reached at joelanderson@sptimes.com or 352 754-6120.

[Last modified January 21, 2008, 21:03:55]