Wheelchair-Bound Man, 2nd Suspect Both Facing Charges In Connellsville Robbery
CONNELLSVILLE (KDKA) -- Two men are now facing charges in what police say was an unusual home invasion and robbery attempt in Fayette County.
It was a panicked call from a home in the 400-block of Johnson Avenue that came into Connellsville Police.
"There were people in a residence that were trying to rob the residents there," said Chief James Capitos, of the Connellsville Police Department.
Police say it started when 22-year-old Dean Firestone and 25-year-old Asa Thompkins broke into the home.
"There was an indication that these two individuals wanted their money," said Chief Capitos.
When police got on scene, they were able to see inside through the windows.
"Officers were actually able to peer in some of the windows and observed one of the residents lying on the floor near a black male who was in a wheelchair," Chief Capitos said.
According to police, in that wheelchair holding a gun was Thompkins.
"I've been here 37 years, I've never seen anybody in a wheelchair commit an armed robbery," said Chief Capitos.
How Tompkins managed to get up on to the home's porch and into the house isn't known for sure, but it's believed Firestone lifted Thompkins and the wheelchair into position.
Police entered the home and arrested both assailants.
"A search of the area found a pistol against the wall nearby," Chief Capitos said. "The pistol turned out to be a pellet gun, but appeared like a Glock-type handgun."
No one was hurt.
Both Firestone and Thompkins are facing multiple felony charges.
Firestone is in the Fayette County Jail on $50,000 straight cash bond. Tompkins was released on $50,000 unsecured bond.
And for officers, it's an incident they won't soon forget.
"It's pretty peculiar somebody would try to commit an armed robbery in a wheelchair," Chief Capitos said.
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