A Florida dad is being hailed as a hero for saving his daughter from an armed kidnapping attempt at his home.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release announcing that four teenagers from Crestview, Florida, were in custody after the incident which occurred around 10:30 pm Tuesday night.  Police responded to a call about a potential home invasion in Baker, an unincorporated community in the Florida panhandle.

The 51-year-old father and homeowner reported that his 17-year-old daughter had called to tell him that someone had attempted to block the road leading to their house with barrels.  Instead of getting out of her car to walk to the home, the daughter simply drove around the barrels.  

Soon after, the father reportedly heard his dogs barking and noticed that his home’s motion-activated floodlights had illuminated.   He also heard a car door closing, and when he saw some individuals appearing to try and break into his garage, the dad fired three warning shots with his gun, which sent the intruders fleeing into the woods.  

The father later found that some of his home’s security lights had been disabled.

A neighbor was reportedly able to provide an accurate description on the intruders’ vehicle, and police stopped the white 2016 Jeep Liberty on a nearby highway and arrested the four teenagers, identified as 19-year-old Keilon Johnson (pictured above), 17-year-old Austin French, 16-year-old Tyree Johnson, and 15-year-old Kamauri Horn.

Police investigators believe that the four youths orchestrated an elaborate robbery and kidnapping scheme, initially planning to force the teenage daughter from her car by blocking the road.  When that did not work, the teenagers allegedly planned to enter and rob the home.  The teens were reportedly armed with knives and guns, and police found tape, latex gloves, masks and dark clothing in their possession.

The four were charged with attempted kidnapping and attempted home invasion.  Keilon Johnson was booked into Okaloosa County Jail, and the other three defendants were sent to a Department of Juvenile Justice facility.

At least three of the teen suspects appear to be members of the Crestview High School football team, according to the a roster listing on the CBS Sports website MaxPreps.  

[Feature image: Okaloosa County Jail]