Home Invasion Suspect Arrested With Loaded Gun

A suspect who committed a violent home invasion in March was arrested with drugs, a loaded gun and other weapons after dropping off his girlfriend at a strip club, according to Largo Police.

A tipster alerted police that Gregary Raymond Gardiner, a convicted felon, was armed while dropping off his girlfriend at OZ gentleman club, Aug. 20, according to arrest records.

Gardiner, 32, of Pinellas Park, ran a stop sign and the black Mercedes Benz he was driving had illegal tint on it, according to police.

The SUV smelled like burned marijuana, investigators said.

When police searched the vehicle they found a three-foot wooden baseball bat concealed under the driver seat; a three-foot metal car jack concealed next to the driver seat; and the hammer back on a fully loaded .40 caliber Interarms handgun in the center console.

The bat and jack were in easy access to Gardiner, police said. The gun was readily accessible and not securely encased as well, according to police.

Gardiner, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, is a known gang member who commits violent crimes with weapons, police said in arrest records.

Police also found two packages of marijuana and a bag of powder cocaine.

Gardiner, who was the only person in the vehicle, denied the drugs were his but admitted he used cocaine.

Gardiner was arrested and charged with felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon/electric weapon, possession of cocaine, trespassing in a structure after warning, felon in possession of ammunition, carrying a concealed firearm, possession of marijuana, armed home invasion robbery, armed burglary, dealing in stolen property, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and indirect criminal contempt.

Gardiner also was trespassed from OZ March 23, according to police.

Around that same time Gardiner was was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, dealing in stolen property and home invasion - armed robbery.

Wearing masks, gloves and carrying guns, Gardiner and Lance Tolsma forced their way into a 65-year-old Largo man’s house, bound his hands behind his back and forced him to the ground while nude as they ransacked the house stealing $70,000 worth of jewelry in March, according to police.