Two women were forced to strip naked after a home invasion on Navaho Drive near the Chattanooga/East Ridge line. Then when a couple showed up in the middle of the home invasion, the man who arrived wound up being shot. During the fracas, the two women who had been forced to strip escaped out a back window.
The incident happened Friday night at 3225 Navajo Dr., but it was not made public until a reporter asked about it.
Sgt. Jerri Weary said the two women told police that two black males kicked in the door and demanded that they take off their clothes and give over their valuables.
The women were put in the bathroom and told to be quiet.
Sgt. Weary said Carla Fernandez and her boyfriend, Christopher Sanford, arrived at the residence while the two home invaders were still inside.
Ms. Fernandez was forced into the home by one of the suspects, while Sanford was engaged by the second suspect. There was a minor struggle between Sanford and one of the suspects after which Sanford attempted to escape. While doing so, he was shot in the leg.
While this was going on, the three women managed to escape through a back window. Everyone was able to get away. However, Sanford had to be treated for a gunshot to the upper thigh and two of the women had to be treated for lacerations received while climbing through the broken window.
The suspects were described as:
a black male, 5’4-5’7, thin build, wearing all black clothing with a red bandana;
another black male, 5’4-5’7, thin build, wearing all black clothing with a dark hoodie covering his head, possible dreadlocks.
Carla Fernandez was given a citation for misdemeanor drug possession charges.
Chris Sanford was arrested for marijuana and crack charges and taken to the County Jail.
Police are still investigating the case and looking for the suspects.