Chester County

Robber Beats, Ties Up Elderly War Veteran During Home Invasion

Police are searching for a robbery suspect who they say beat and tied up an elderly war veteran during a home invasion in Chester County.

The 81-year-old Korean War veteran told police he was inside his home on Bertolet School Road in West Vincent Township back on July 26 around 7:30 p.m. when he heard a knock on his door. When he opened it he was met by a man who asked if he was having any water problems.

When the victim told him he didn’t have any problems with his water the suspect allegedly forced his way inside the home.

"That's when he grabbed my arm and said he was going to shoot me," said the victim, who did not want to be identified. "He must have said that 15 times." 

The suspect allegedly punched the man, demanded money from him, dragged him to a bed, tied him up and covered him with a sheet. Though the suspect told the man he would shoot him if he tried to call the police, he never displayed a gun, according to investigators. 

The suspect then went through the home and stole several items including cash, jewelry, prescription medication and a laptop computer. 
 
The victim suffered a black eye and deep bruising all over his body. 
 
"This was really bad," the victim said. "I had a bruise up here. I had blood all over my head. If I had my pen I would've stabbed him in the eye." 
 
The suspect is described as a man with an average build, possibly in his 30’s. He was last seen wearing dark blue or black clothing and a dark-colored baseball cap. Neighbors also reported seeing a white station wagon or sedan type vehicle, possibly a Subaru, with a male driver and male passenger inside. 
 
If you have any information on the incident or recognize the suspect, please call the West 
 Vincent Township Police at 610-458-3205 or email policedepartment@westvincenttwp.org.
 
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