CRESTVIEW, Fla., March 7, 2022—A Holt man was arrested for home invasion robbery that occurred in February.

Matthew Glenn Gafford, 27, was arrested in Fort Walton Beach after an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted him walking in the area of Beal Parkway and Manring Drive Sunday.

Gafford was arrested on charges of robbery by home invasion, tampering with a victim (deprived use of 911), aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with intent to commit a felony.

Investigators said Gafford went to the victim’s residence on Hill Drive Feb. 7 and knocked on the door. 

When the victim opened the door, Gafford pointed a black handgun at him and pushed him back into the house. He hit the victim on the face with the gun and robbed him of $40 and his cell phone before heading out, according to the arrest report.

The victim, who worked with the suspect in the past, identified Gafford in a lineup.

Gafford is a convicted felon with at least two prior theft convictions and was on probation, according to the arrest report. He was last arrested in Okaloosa County for property damage, petty theft, grand theft auto, probation violation and an injunction violation in 2021.

Staff and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office news release