Published: August 18, 2008 11:22 pm      

Elderly couple robbed in home

Intruders were armed, struggle ensued

An elderly Indian Heights couple were roused by armed intruders early Sunday morning, victims of a home invasion robbery on Brave Court, Howard County Sheriff Marty Talbert reported.

Talbert said the husband and wife, aged 74 and 75, were asleep at 5:45 a.m. when two men demanding money invaded their bedroom.

The couple told deputies at least one of the men held what appeared to be a handgun.

The husband grabbed his own handgun and a struggle ensued.

Sheriff detective Scott Waymire said the intruders took the husband’s gun and fled, but a shot was fired during the struggle. Talbert said the victim’s handgun discharged.

The husband suffered a laceration on his ear, and was taken to St. Joseph Hospital, where he was treated and released.

Talbert said it’s unclear how the man received the injury, whether he was pistol-whipped by the robbers, or fell and hit his head on something during the struggle.

“Obviously they’re both scared to death from what happened,” Talbert said. “We’ve been working on this ever since it happened. The result could have been a lot worse.”

“The thing most people need to understand is that these things usually aren’t random crimes,” Talbert said. “People are targeted for some reason or another. Unfortunately, in the era we live in, these type of things happen.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Howard County Sheriff Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at (765) 456-2031.

Scott Smith may be reached at (765) 454-8569 or via e-mail at scott.smith@kokomotribune.com