A Massachusetts homeowner was shocked to be woken at 3 am Monday by a pair of home invaders who bound her in duct tape and then poured gas on her while demanding she turn over her ATM card and PIN number, police report.
Police in Springfield, Massachusetts, report that on May 23 they received a call from the 63-year-old homeowner who said she was accosted by two people, a man and woman, who had broken into her house. The two bound her in duct tape and poured gasoline on her while threatening to burn her alive if she didn’t comply with their demands.
The home invaders fled after she gave them her ATM card and PIN number, the woman told police. After they left she reported the incident.
Officers began tracking the suspects using a canine unit and eventually found the smell of gasoline at a local Bank Of America ATM. A sweatshirt smelling of gas and containing a Social Security card in its pocket was found near the machine.
It wasn’t long before investigators learned that a taxi company had picked up two people at the bank. The pair were delivered to a nearby motel.
At the motel, police arrested Angel Roman, 37, and Monica Atkins, 28, both residents of Springfield. The two reportedly still smelled of gasoline, police said.
The suspects–both of whom already had outstanding warrants–were charged with armed robbery, kidnapping, armed assault with the intent to murder and home invasion.
The victim told police she knew her attackers, but officials have not released what their relationship was. The elderly victim was not otherwise harmed during the robbery.
Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney reported that the investigation is continuing, more charges may be coming, and that police are looking into whether or not the suspects engaged in any other currently unsolved crimes.
The suspects are being held awaiting arraignment.
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston or email the author at igcolonel@hotmail.com
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.