2 men charged with home invasion - Victim held suspects at gunpoint until the police arrived

The Dominion Post ^ | 2004/05/11 | NATALIE NEYSA ALUND

[the_devils_advocate_666]

A local duo charged in connection with a home invasion in Monongalia County have posted bond.

At about 2:40 a.m. Sunday, Mon County Sheriff's Department deputies arrested 24-year-old Jonathan Brent Lowe and 22-year-old Robert James Thrasher.

Police said they apprehended the men following an attempted armed robbery along Bethel Road.

On Monday, court authorities announced Lowe and Thrasher had each posted $10,000 bond.

On the day of the incident, victims told police the suspects gained entry into their home by kicking in the residence's front door.

After Lowe and Thrasher entered the home, police reported, the men kicked open a locked bedroom door and demanded money from two victims.

The suspects, police noted, were armed with a handgun and two wooden clubs.

Another resident, who was inside the home during the reported invasion, retrieved his shotgun and held the suspects at bay until police arrived.

No one was hurt. The suspects face armed robbery charges. A preliminary hearing has not been slated.

Morgantown Police reported the last home invasion occurred Dec. 15, 2003, when Michael Davis, 22, of Lynchburg, Va., robbed a Morgantown resident at 2612 University Ave.

During a plea agreement March 10, Davis admitted his involvement in the armed robbery conspiracy that resulted in a fatal shooting.

Court authorities said his sentencing date is July 9.

Mon County Prosecutors say Davis, along with Robert Johnson, 22, of Romney, and Timothy Riley, 21, of Romney, visited Lewis' home and attempted to rob him with a knife.

During the robbery, Lewis shot Riley in self-defense and killed him. Lewis was not charged.

[the_devils_advocate_666]

It really sucks for the bad guys when the "victims" are armed.

[Fredy]

But But .... Guns are bad.. kids in the house.. what about mothers march ????

Your post is offensive for all criminals and leftist who want that victim are unarmed and ready to be robed and raped.Please do not post stuff that made people think about protecting themselves. "sarcasm alert"

[eastforker]

Why only a 10K bond for armed robbery of a residence?? They are back on the street now. I fear for the victims.

[CurlyDave]

On Monday, court authorities announced Lowe and Thrasher had each posted $10,000 bond.

Why is the bail set so low?

What now prevents these guys from going back to silence their victims?

[R. Scott]

What now prevents these guys from going back to silence their victims?

The shotgun?

[thackney]

BANG

[FLAMING DEATH]

The next time, the "victim" will probably shoot instead of holding them at gunpoint. That'll probably keep them away. Maybe they're smart enough to avoid going back to the same house and end up staring down the barrel of a gun again, especially now that the homeowner is probably all twitchy from the experience.

Almost everyone here in WV is heavily armed, and that was these guys' first mistake. I'm really surprised that the homeowner had the patience to hold these guys rather than just take them out right then and there.

Breaking and entering, or any kind of crime like this, is almost unheard of around here. It is no big deal to leave your house unlocked at night or your keys in your car. People know better. No surprise that these guys are out-of-staters. Most people around here involved in crimes usually are.

[FLAMING DEATH]

I misread...only one of the guys from the December robbery was from out of state.

The others were just stupid.

[Graybeard58]

Lewis was not charged.

This shouldn't even have to be stated.

[marty60]

Ought oh, these residents will now be charged with violating the rightd of the criminals by humiliating them by holding a gun on them.