Teens To Stand Trial In Fayette Co. Home Invasion
CONNELLSVILLE (KDKA) -- Two of three teenagers accused of pistol whipping a man during a violent home invasion in Fayette County were in court today.
Duston Wiggins, 16, and Terry Nicholson, 17, left a Connellsville court room Thursday, learning their case will go to trial.
The teens, along with another 14-year-old, are charged with aggravated assault, robbery and criminal trespass among other counts in a home invasion that left an elderly man injured.
It was Valentine's Day evening, around 11 p.m. when Caesar Gasperi heard his doorbell ring. The 79-year-old opened his East Francis Avenue door to find three teens with guns.
"Rang the doorbell of our house, they pushed their way through when my dad answered the door," said Lisa Gasperi, Caesar's daughter.
State police say one of the teenagers then took his gun and pistol whipped the man in the head twice. Lisa was at her father's home that night.
"They demanded money," said Lisa. "I knew he kept money in the safe, so I went and I tried to get the safe open. I couldn't get it open. They took the safe."
Investigators say the teens locked Lisa in a bedroom, and then ran off with the safe.
A mere half hour later, Connellsville Police tracked the teens to a home in the 100-block of West Cedar Street where they were arrested.
Caesar had to be taken to Highlands Hospital for large cuts on his forehead. He has since healed, and according to his daughter, ready to see the teens who are accused of assaulting him put to justice.
Lisa says she's hoping a court date is set soon.
"I hope that the juvenile will be sent to the adult system," she said. "As of right now, he's in jail because he cut his ankle bracelet off."
RELATED LINKS:
3 Teens In Custody In Connellsville Home Invasion (2/15/14)
Police Track Footprints In Snow To Catch Alleged Fayette Co. Robbers (2/18/14)
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