Days after local law enforcement agencies teamed up to investigate three robberies, an anonymous tip and a probation bracelet led to the arrest of two men who now face extradition from Georgia.
Michael T. Spralding, 24, and Henry L. Murray, 31, were arrested Saturday in Hapeville, Ga., in connection with two of the crimes, according to a joint news release from the Alachua County Sheriff's Office and Gainesville Police Department.
GPD detectives received an anonymous tip that the men might be connected to the crimes, said Cpl. Angelina Valuri, GPD public information officer.
Murray was wearing a GPS tracking bracelet because he is on felony probation in Florida. The bracelet helped law enforcement officials find them, said Sgt. Todd Kelly, ASO public information officer.
The agencies got arrest warrants for the men and worked with Georgia authorities to bring them into custody, he said.
One of the home invasions occurred on Sept. 6, when an elderly couple was tied up in their home on Northwest 49th Lane and had their white Ford Explorer and other items stolen.
The second set of charges is related to a Nov. 2 robbery in which a woman was tied up in her home on Northwest 38th Street and had her white Subaru Legacy stolen.
Both of the cars have been found.
They face an extradition hearing in Georgia before they can be brought to Alachua County, Kelly said.
ASO and GPD are continuing to work together on the home invasion investigation because they believe there is at least one more suspect at large, Kelly said.
No one has been charged in the first home invasion robbery, which occurred on June 27 at a home on Northwest 45th Avenue.
Spralding and Murray have been charged with two counts each of home invasion robbery with a firearm and false imprisonment and one count each of aggravated battery on a person 65 years or older, larceny and grand theft, according to the news release.
