Man pistol-whipped, shot at during St. Petersburg home invasion

ST. PETERSBURG — About $1,000 worth of cash and valuables were stolen from a family early Thursday during a home invasion.

Here's what police say happened:

A man and his girlfriend were on their front porch about 3:30 a.m. in the 500 block of Eighth St. N. Three men in ski masks and gloves approached. One had a gun, and they ordered the couple inside.

The three men demanded valuables and told the boyfriend to sit on the couch. One of the men hit the boyfriend on the back of the head with the butt of the gun.

They fired several shots in the general direction of the boyfriend. The three men then searched the house and stole $1,000 in cash and electronics.

As the three men left the house they fired several shots outside.

After the men left, the boyfriend, 22, tried to see where they went. He then drove to his mother's house, brought her back and called police. An infant inside the house was unharmed and slept through the incident, police said.