In a shocking incident, a man from Homosassa, Florida, was apprehended for impersonating a Citrus County deputy and holding a couple hostage during a home invasion. The man, identified as 32-year-old Eric William Johnson, was reportedly driven to the scene by Maynard David Selvog on July 19. Johnson was armed with an AR-15 style rifle, later revealed to be an “Air-Soft” rifle.
Upon reaching the destination, Johnson exited the vehicle and approached a camper, where he falsely identified himself as a member of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Department. He then ordered the occupants of the camper to step out, brandishing his rifle at them. The victims, under the impression that Johnson was a law enforcement officer, complied with his orders.
The situation escalated as Johnson continued to hold the victims at gunpoint. The female victim attempted to call 911, but Johnson seized her phone. Seizing an opportunity when Johnson was momentarily distracted, the male victim fled to a nearby house for help. He informed the police that he had noticed Selvog sitting in an SUV near the road.
Johnson pursued the male victim to the nearby house and forced his way in by kicking down the door. A scuffle ensued inside the house between the homeowner, the victim, and Johnson. The homeowner managed to disarm Johnson and struck him in the head with the butt of the weapon.
Selvog and Johnson fled the scene but were later located by the deputies. Selvog was found at a nearby residence and revealed Johnson’s hiding spot. Johnson was discovered in a nearby shed, threatening to take his own life with a gun. Despite multiple attempts to get Johnson to surrender, he refused to comply, leading to K-9 Odie apprehending him.
In a shocking turn of events, Johnson attempted to shoot the police dog twice, but the gun malfunctioned both times. Deputies intervened, apprehended Johnson, and transported him to a nearby hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Johnson faces multiple charges, including armed home invasion robbery, two counts of felony kidnapping, armed burglary of a dwelling, aggravated assault on a person over 65, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, impersonating law enforcement, battery on a police canine, and resisting arrest. Selvog was also arrested and charged with armed home-invasion robbery and principal in the first degree. Johnson is being held at the Citrus County Detention Center on a $201,000 bond, while Selvog’s bond is set at $50,000.