Authorities have reported that eleven individuals known as “crankers” are facing charges for breaking into and vandalizing the unoccupied residence of a member of the Air Force who was serving 2,000 miles away in Florida. 

Sheriff Grady Judd of Polk County revealed that a fundraising effort has been initiated online for the airman, who is currently based in North Dakota. The incident unfolded when the airman, responsible for providing strategic intelligence analysis to assist in the nuclear deterrence mission of the base, contacted the sheriff’s office on March 16 upon noticing a significant increase in his home’s electricity consumption. 

He requested authorities check the property. 

Mugshots of 11 people charged with pilfering the Florida home of an airman.  (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)

“For those unfamiliar with a cranker colony, this is an eye-opener,” remarked Judd in a video statement as he displayed the mugshots of the 11 suspects. “Their activities went beyond mere breaking and entering. They left the house in complete disarray, causing extensive damage.”

Judd said the suspects took everything out of the house. He showed images of garbage and random items on a lawn. The suspects lived in a shed near the home where they stole electricity, Judd said. 

The suspects were identified as Brindy Matos, 39; Anthony Maddox, Jr., 31; Dana Pereira, 46; Michael Stone, 38; Johnathan Smith, 21; Beverly Reese, 44; Dwayne Harris, 46; Austin Shirah, 33; Angelea Keene, 53; Troy Bumlens, 41; and 25-year-old Kayla Strickland. 

An image of a lawn from the Florida home of a deployed airman.  (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)

All are charged with multiple offenses ranging from drug possession to keeping a public nuisance structure for drug use. When deputies arrived at the home, Maddox fled and left Matos, who is seven months pregnant with his child, Judd said. 

Matos and Maddox are additionally charged with burglary and trespassing, among other crimes. 

“They all lived together in a compound, in a colony, and they started pilfering this house,” the sheriff said. 

An image shows garbage and items belonging to a deployed airman outside his Florida home. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)

The airman said the home was no longer habitable. 

“Our memories and photographs were scattered, ripped, torn and ruined from the criminals that had broken in and decided to squat on the property,” he wrote. “Graffiti and profanity was spray-painted on the walls and doors of the home, appliances stolen and the walls ripped apart only to assume the criminals were looking for things to sell. 

“I am headed back to continue my duty at Minot AFB and comfort my grieving mother after this tremendous loss that we were not expecting.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to the airman.