A Fruitland Park man was arrested for trespassing after allegedly breaking into two neighbors’ homes.
A deputy responded to a possible burglary in progress at the Twin Palms Boat & Marina Boat Ramp, 35320 Cross St., Fruitland Park, at 1:35 p.m. June 29, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. A resident advised that 33-year-old Brandon Scott Fredericks forced himself into his home, claiming to be chased by people with guns.
The occupants were able to force him out of the house and down the street, where he entered another residence and claimed the same information. While en route, the Fruitland Park and Lady Lake Police Departments arrived on scene. Fredericks was still inside the second home, but he came out without incident, the report said.
The resident of the second home stated that Fredericks came inside without permission, claiming to be followed by people with guns and asking for help. He knew Fredericks from the neighborhood but had never seen him in this state. He asked Fredericks to leave several times, which was when law enforcement arrived, the report said.
The original caller stated he and his wife were in the house asleep when they heard their back door possibly being messed with. He got out of bed and saw Fredericks in his living room, where he claimed to have been chased. Fredericks refused to leave, which was when a male roommate woke up, the report said.
The caller and his roommate removed Fredericks from the home and kept him out when he tried to come back. They pushed him down the road until he continued on his own into the next residence, the report said.
The report noted Fredericks did not damage the doors of either residence. The bottom lock was secured at the first home, but the deadbolt was not. The second home was unlocked.
When speaking with Fredericks, he appeared to be under the influence of a drug. He stated he was at home when six people broke in with guns and claimed to be law enforcement. He ran out and ran the street for help. Deputies later responded to his home and spoke with a roommate, who denied anyone coming inside, the report said.
Fredericks was arrested on two charges of trespassing in an occupied structure. He was booked at the Lake County Jail without bond.
He was also one of two arrested in Oct. 2024 during a drug bust at 7-Eleven.