Florida Highway Patrol trooper, accomplice arrested in Vero Beach home invasion

VERO BEACH — An off-duty Florida Highway Patrol trooper was accused of barging into a woman's home and shoving her on Monday, Vero Beach police said.

Paige Marie Martin, 22, whose affidavit identified her as a trooper, was charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling and misdemeanor battery. FHP officials could not be reached for comment Monday about her employment status and any possible disciplinary actions. No information was available about how long Martin has been a trooper.

A woman living at an apartment in the 1800 block of 40th Avenue said Christine Gannon, 20, of the 100 block of 56th Drive Southwest, Vero Beach, knocked on her door about 5:30 a.m. Monday, according to the affidavit. The woman said she did not know Gannon, but opened the door because she assumed it was someone else, she told police.

Once the door opened, Martin appeared and demanded to know the whereabouts of someone who was not there, the affidavit said. The apartment resident tried closing the door, but Martin and Gannon barged their way inside, she told police. Once inside, Martin shoved the woman and continued her demands to find the person for whom she was searching, according to the report.

"I'm Cuban, and I'll show you I'm crazy," Martin said to the apartment resident during the confrontation, the affidavit states.

Martin and Gannon fled when the apartment resident called 911. Officers said they went to Martin's home and took her into custody.

Martin and Gannon, who was charged with burglary, were held Monday at the Indian River County Jail pending their bail hearings Tuesday. The burglary charge for both of them involves the allegations of forcing their way into a dwelling.