Chelsea firefighters investigating smoke interrupt armed home invasion

Firefighters who arrived at 44 Lafayette Ave. shortly after midnight to investigate a report of smoke in a third-floor apartment instead found a resident tied up with a computer cord and his apartment being ransacked by a robber in a scheme that involved two other men, according to Chelsea Police.

When police arrived a few minutes later, the home invader allegedly jumped out the apartment's window. He survived the fall; police say they seized his .357-caliber handgun and $10,000 in cash "concealed in various locations on his person." Police say they found another $10,000 in cash in a black bag nearby.

Police say they are looking for two accomplices. According to police:

Initial reports from the two male victims suggests that as one victim was dumping his trash at the complex trash compacter he was forced at gunpoint by two black males to give his keys and his apartment number to the suspects. One suspect stayed with the initial victim and the second suspect used the keys to enter the apartment where he bound the second victim with a computer cord and robbed the apartment. It appears the arrival of the Chelsea Fire Department caused the suspect near the trash compacter to flee on foot to a nearby waiting silver car.

Charnne Augustin, 25, of Chelsea, is expected to be arraigned in Chelsea District Court this morning on numerous charges, including armed home invasion and illegal possession of a firearm, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports.

Anybody with information can contact the Chelsea Police anonymous tip line by calling 617-466-4880 or texting the word Chelsea and then a message to tip411 (847411).

Innocent, etc.