A Pinecrest Family Finds Safety After the Terror of a Home Invasion

Flock Stories: Your Voice

At 5:00 in the morning, a family in Pinecrest, Florida, woke up horrified. 

What began as a quiet night in a close-knit, family-friendly community quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal. 

Their home alarm sounded. Justin Firestone glanced at his home security system on his cell phone and confirmed the unthinkable: intruders were inside his home where his family was sleeping.

Within moments, he was faced with something difficult to put into words: the sight of his children experiencing a level of fear they had never known before.

The family immediately called 911 as the situation unfolded. 

Outside, Pinecrest—known for its quiet streets, Sunday farmer’s market, and strong sense of community—was facing a growing trend of vehicle burglaries and thefts that had begun earlier in the year. 

But this incident had escalated far beyond property crime.

Pinecrest Police responded quickly, tapping into Flock technology to identify the suspect vehicle. What followed was a coordinated effort spanning more than 20 miles, with officers and aerial support locating the suspects in real time. The pursuit ended with the arrest of three individuals connected to the home invasion.

For the Firestone family, the resolution brought more than just justice. It brought relief.

Their story is a powerful reminder that behind every call for service is a real family navigating fear, uncertainty, and, ultimately, recovery. It also highlights how modern tools, when placed in the hands of law enforcement, can make a meaningful difference in critical moments.

In Pinecrest, that difference helped one family move forward and begin to feel safe at home again.

Video Transcription‍

“Words can't describe what you feel as a parent when you see your children have a level of fear that they've never had before,” said Pinecrest resident Justin Firestone. “At five AM, I heard the alarm going off. I looked at my phone and saw it was a front-door intrusion. Two subjects were in the house.”

“[Pinecrest, Florida] is sort of a village within a big city. It's really kid-friendly. We've got a farmer's market every Sunday.”

“It's relatively quiet in this area,” said Pinecrest Police Department Chief Jason Cohen. “There's a sense of community here in Pinecrest that you don't see in other areas of the county. But beginning in January, this region saw a big uptick in vehicle burglaries and car thefts.”

“I could see them on the cameras wearing masks, and they're in our house,” said Firestone. “You know, your heart drops. I immediately called nine one one.”

“We began to search our flock system and immediately identified the vehicle,” said Chief Cohen. “With that Flock hit, we called on the Sheriff's Office helicopter, followed the vehicle for twenty-two miles, and ultimately led to a takedown of three subjects.”

“When I found out the suspects had been arrested, I was incredibly grateful,” said Firestone. “Flock really was the game changer.”

“If you're a police leader now in 2026 and you don't have this technology, you are really missing out on a great opportunity to protect your community,” said Chief Cohen. 

“We went to bed that night knowing that the criminals were off the street,” said Firestone. “I'm living proof that my family is safer because of this technology.”