Police search for suspects in Athens home invasion

ATHENS, Ga. — Athens police are still searching for three masked gunmen who broke into an apartment overnight and tortured a man inside with an iron.

Channel 2's Liz Artz talked with the property manager who came to secure the door. She told Artz the inside was shocking to see.

Tabatha Egli manages 266 Highland Park Drive. She said there was broken glass and furniture around the living room.

Police say three masked men armed with a handgun and a shotgun kicked in the front door at 2 a.m. Wednesday. They say the men locked 25-year-old Cynthia Jewell in the bathroom and demanded money from Antwon Huff. Investigators say Huff was tied up and tortured with an iron. Police said the suspects burned Huff.

Police are not sure if the three gunmen got away with much more than a cellphone, but Huff suffered severe burns and other injuries. Egli told Artz that Huff had also been beaten.

Neighbors were stunned to hear the news and told us they didn't hear anything overnight, not even sirens.

Egli, who manages numerous properties in the area, says it's usually a quiet neighborhood. She said she has never had any problems in the area.

Egli told Artz that Jewell rents the apartment and believes Huff is her tenant's boyfriend. She said she doesn't know Huff, but sees Jewell every month when rent is due.

She described her as sweet, kind-hearted and a good person.

The suspects face a slew of charges. Athens police are asking anyone who may know anything about the crime to call them at 706-613-3342.

WSBTV