Between August 19 and August 31, 2025, investigators from the Lake City Police Department and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office worked together to solve a string of violent home invasion robberies that targeted multiple homes in the Lake City area.
The first incident occurred on Tuesday, August 19, around 1:59 a.m., when two masked men wearing black clothing and gloves forced their way into an apartment at 1283 SW Zesty Circle after yelling “Sheriff’s Office.” Both suspects were armed with handguns and demanded money before fleeing with cash and an iPhone 14.
Nine days later, on Thursday, August 28, around 12:01 a.m., three masked suspects—again dressed in black and shouting “Columbia County Sheriff’s Office”—broke into an apartment at 3853 NW Huntsboro Street. They held the residents at gunpoint and stole cash and another iPhone 14 before escaping.
The third robbery happened on Sunday, August 31, at 9:54 p.m., in unincorporated Lake City. Deputies responded to 134 SW Petunia Place, where four armed men entered the home, two wearing black, one in camouflage, and one in a gray hoodie. The suspects had handguns with extended magazines, ransacked the house, and stole jewelry, watches, cologne, and clothing before fleeing on foot.
Detectives quickly noticed striking similarities among the three robberies, including the suspects’ use of dark clothing and masks, impersonation of law enforcement officers, and specific demands for cash.
Following a joint investigation, officers identified and arrested three suspects:
• Trever A. Strawder, 26, of Fort White, FL
• Ja’Kyris Ahmaud Martin, 20, of Summerfield, FL
• Ajahnnie Leilani Ward, 27, of Lake City, FL
All three were taken into custody without incident.
“These arrests reflect the outstanding teamwork between the Lake City Police Department and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office,” said Chief of Police Garald Butler. “Through coordinated investigative work, multiple violent offenders have been removed from our community. We will continue to pursue justice for the victims affected by these crimes.”
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