By Mike Branom, The Associated Press
Orlando, Fla. (AP) _ Two men suspected in the home-invasion robbery of an alleged drug house that turned into a deadly shootout with sheriff’s deputies had extensive criminal records in South Carolina, authorities said Thursday.
Authorities say they missed a chance to get one man off the streets before he wounded two Orange County deputies. John Dzibinski, 35, recently was jailed in neighboring Osceola County for drug possession, but it is unclear whether North Charleston, S.C., authorities knew he was in custody or if they declined to have him extradited.
Dzibinski was critically wounded in the head during Wednesday morning’s shootout while his alleged accomplice George Jenkins, 25, was killed.
Jenkins and Dzibinski have outstanding warrants for burglary, armed robbery and possession of a firearm during commission of a crime stemming from a home invasion in January, North Charleston police spokesman Spencer Pryor said. Also, Dzibinski was once convicted of assault and battery with intent to kill.
A third man, 20-year-old Shaun Byrom, threw down his weapon before his partners could ambush the deputies, officials said. He has been charged with first-degree murder because under Florida law, if someone dies in the commission of a crime, even if it is an accomplice, a suspect can be charged with murder.
Byrom’s record in South Carolina consists only of traffic violations, according to court records.
Deputies Jennifer Fulford, 31, and Dwayne Martin, 30, both were in stable condition at Orlando Regional Medical Center on Thursday. Fulford was shot seven times, while Martin took a bullet in the shoulder.
Authorities say the three men wanted to steal 341 pounds of marijuana from a home in the Pine Hills neighborhood of Orlando. An unknown source gave them detailed directions to the home, and after arriving they forced an unidentified woman who lives there back inside.
But the plot was foiled when the woman’s 8-year-old son dialed 911, prompting the deputies’ response. The woman, the boy and his 2-year-old twin siblings escaped unhurt.
The woman has not been charged with possessing the marijuana, but it and the suspects’ three handguns were seized from the scene. Another search warrant was served on a motel room in nearby Kissimmee, and found there were two AK-47 assault rifles and $54,000 in cash.
Orange County Sheriff Kevin Beary said Dzibinski was allowed to leave the Osceola County jail despite his warrants. Dzibinski, nicknamed “The Black Russian,” was released April 27 after serving a 76-day sentence for marijuana possession
However, Osceola County spokeswoman Twis Lizasuain said North Charleston authorities were aware Dzibinski was in custody but declined to have him extradited back to South Carolina.
Pryor did not immediately return a phone message asking why.