Robbers pose as deputies

MIDLAND When three or four armed men reportedly kicked in a family's door, they claimed to be Midland County sheriff's deputies, but Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter said they were really posers who ran off with about $300 in cash.

Men dressed in what looked like official police gear, gloves, badges and masks invaded the home at 1609 Neely Ave. at 3:20 a.m. Tuesday, Painter said.

Painter said the masks were a clear sign that the men weren't legitimate deputies.

"They're not going to have masks on, and they will properly identify themselves," Painter said.

According to the report Painter had of the home invasion, the men had everyone get down on the ground while they were searching the house. They found between $200 and $300 on the kitchen table and ran off with it.

The incident took place inside Midland but was also being investigated by the Midland County Sheriff's Office because the suspects posed as deputies, Painter said.

"It's not unusual, but it doesn't happen often," Painter said of the robbers' posing as deputies.

Painter added that home invasions are federal offenses, but that there are no suspects in the case as of Tuesday evening.