An 84-year-old man was robbed by two male suspects in the Wriston area of Fayette County around 8 p.m. Saturday, according to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department.
The victim told police a man knocked on his door and said his vehicle was broken down. When the homeowner opened the door, the suspect pulled a ski mask over his face and a second male suspect joined him and they both forced their way into the home.
Police said the suspect demanded money, but the homeowner attempted to defend himself with a handgun. The suspects wrestled him and disarmed him.
He was able to arm himself again with a metal flashlight and struck one of the suspects in the head several times, he told police.
The men stole the homeowner’s wallet with an undisclosed amount of cash and then fled the Wolfe Lane residence.
They were armed with a black plastic pellet gun, which was left at the scene.
The 84-year-old man suffered minor injuries, but refused medical attention. He said the suspects were “two white males” but was unable to give a description of either or them or the vehicle they fled the scene in.
“This is the second incident of this type in the W.Va. Route 61 area in the past 24 hours,” Sheriff Steve Kessler said. “Although the two incidents are similar in some regards, we are unsure at this time if the same perpetrators were involved in both incidents.”
Kessler said he urges homeowners not to answer the door to someone they don’t know, especially after dark.
“Immediately call 911 and let the individuals know that you have done so. Unfortunately, it’s just not safe anymore to open your door to a stranger asking for assistance.”
Deputies A.E. Robers and R.V. Neal are currently investigating.
Anyone having further information is asked to call Fayette County 911 at 304-574-1610, the Sheriff’s Department Detective Bureau at 304-574-4305 or CrimeStoppers at 304-255-7867.
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