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Grandson of victims in double homicide arrested for traffic violation in victims' car

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OCALA, Fla. — Detectives have taken a person of interest into custody after he was found driving the car of an elderly couple who were found dead Sunday morning in their Ocala home, the Ocala Police Department said.

Terrance Hurst, who was the victims' grandson, was arrested in the Tampa area for driving with a revoked license.

"He lived here, so certainly we want to talk to him. There are some other people that we know were in and out of here as well that we are in the process of talking to as well," Ocala Police Chief Greg Graham said.

Hurst, 32, is being held on a $10,000 bond for the traffic violation, but has not been arrested in connection with his grandparents' deaths.

"It's pretty scary, you know, because to think if it was somebody that didn't know them, you know what i mean?What were they looking for? It could have easily been me and my family," neighbor Desiree Warren said.

Officers found the bodies of Robert Schwamberger, 81, and Ruth Schwamberger, 78, shortly before 8:15 a.m. as they conducted a well-being check at the couple's home on NE 43 Ave., police Sgt. Cynthia Barnes said.

A double homicide investigation is underway, Barnes said.

“As stated earlier, this is an ongoing investigation and we are soliciting assistance,” she said.

Hurst has been arrested nearly two dozen times for charges including theft and fraud, but he has not violent criminal history.

Officials drained the couple's pool Tuesday in search of more evidence.

Anyone with information on the killings is asked to contact Ocala police Detective Stephanie McQuaig at 352-369-7029, OPD at 352-369-7000 or Crime Stoppers at 352-368-7867.

For questions about this story, contact Tim Barber.

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