Masked Men Assault, Rob 88-Year-Old Woman
Masked Men Assault, Rob 88-Year-Old Woman Save Email Print
Posted: 4:05 PM Dec 3, 2008
 Last Updated: 4:05 PM Dec 3, 2008
 Reporter: Mike Waterhouse
Email Address: mike.waterhouse@wsaz.com
22 comments
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RAND, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The Kanawha County Sheriff's Department is looking for two masked men who broke into an elderly woman's home Tuesday night, robbing her.

It happened at about 6:20 p.m. on Midland Drive in Rand.

Deputies say the suspects forced their way into the 88-year-old victim's home, assaulted her, and then robbed her of a small amount of cash.

The woman was not seriously hurt.

The suspects were reportedly about 6 feet tall and wearing dark clothing and masks.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call the Kanawha County Sheriff's Department at (304) 357-0169.

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Posted by: Heather on Dec 5, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Sounds like some people on here need to brush up on their laws, because the law doesn't say you can shoot someone for breaking into your home. There is LOTS of fine print associated with this.
Posted by: msu student on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:39 PM
That is so sad taking advantage of a poor old woman. That is pathetic.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Well said Debbie, my sentiments exactly. Yeah, in my house we don't 911 we call 357 but hey were not 88 years old either. To bad she was all alone when this happened. I hope they catch the punks.
Posted by: Travis on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Break into my house and you will leave in a body bag. I am glad to hear that the lady was ok.
Posted by: Melinda on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:32 AM
SINCE EVERYONE PAYS INTO THE SOCIAL SECURITY AND OUR GOVERNMENT IS BAILING OUT DIRTY LAW MAKERS THEY NEED TO BE HELPING THOSE "REALLY" IN NEED SUCH AS YOUR ELDERLY. THEIR NEEDS TO BE A DEVICE WITH CAMARAS THAT WAY SOMEONE BREAKS IN TO STEAL FROM THEM OR HURT THEM THEIR ON FILM. CRIMINALS ARE GETTING BRAVER. I AGREE WITH DOA 100%. SHOOT IF ANYTHING GIVE THEM THE TASERS POLICE USE AND THAT WAY THEY WILL BE LAYING ON THE FLOOR UNTIL POLICE CAN GET THERE. IT TAKES A COWARD TO ROB THE ELDERLY! AND YOU MIGHT GET AWAY FROM THE LAW BUT YOU CANNOT GET AWAY FROM GOD EITHER YOU WILL STUMBLE TRYING TO DO IT AGAIN OR GOD WILL GET YOU AND GOOD LUCK TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM HIM!
Posted by: Debbie on Dec 4, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Dave in WV if someone breaks into your home and threatens your life, you DO have the right to use deadly force, all that is required is that your life be in danger. But realisticly folks, most 88 year olds are not in a position to draw down on a couple of thugs, I'm sure there are exceptions, but many have tremors, diminished vison, etc. Pulling a gun would more likely get them killed. I hope if they ever catch these guys, they throw away the key, anyone who would do something like that has no redeeming qualities as far as I'm concerned.
Posted by: Kathy on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Too bad SHE didn't have a gun like the other homeowner who shot one of the little thugs entering his home the other night! These criminals should be smart enough to know that if they break into our homes especially these days, they may go back out feet first DOA! Enough of this crap. Police can't be everywhere & we have to protect ourselves, our families and others, and our property My great-gramma was almost 90 & shot & killed a "neighbor" thug who broke into her home days after my grandpa died. Knew it was SSA check day & she only made a few dollars from my grandpa anyway - they lived in a little tiny old house outside P'mouth but this big "man" broke into her house to take her social security check & she shot/killed him with grandpa's gun Although they cleared her of course she never got over it and died shortly afterwards BUT at least he wasn't around to hurt anyone else so good for her I'm glad this lady wasn't seriously hurt but I know she was scared to death
Posted by: Kathy on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:19 AM
There is nothing too bad to do to these two little thugs IMHO! What "men"! Beat up an 88 yr old woman - ANY woman but even worse a lady that has lived that many years! I hope they throw these two UNDER the jail but some lawyer will probably get them off with our wonderful "laws" Our laws need to be updated & changed because crime is so different - so evil and so crazy now. Legislators and judicial folks, PLEASE work on updating them so little jerks like this CAN'T find a loophole and maybe get off These two need to be behind bars with some big, nasty MEN who will show them what's it like to be beaten up and scared - I'm sure even hard core murderers in prison don't like little cowards who beat up on old people especially women anymore than they like those who molest and kill children So put them in there with THEM and let them be violated and beaten up! I'm glad she wasn't hurt or worse but imagine how scared she was. God bless her
Posted by: Bob on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:28 AM
All you poster's that want to legalize drugs, this is the face of drugs, beating up old women.
Posted by: MOTHER on Dec 4, 2008 at 06:08 AM
I HOPE THEY FIND THESE 2 SCUMBAGS GIVE THEM LIFE IN PRISON. HOPE THE 88 YEAR OLD WOMAN IS GOING TO BE OK . GOD BLESS HER.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 05:00 AM
It's hard to believe that a person survives in this world 88 years, through the Depression,WWII, etc. only to be robbed by punks that do not know what a hard days work is! Too lazy to work for a living but able to take something someone else has. Can you imagine how frightened this elderly lady was? They should get the death penalty for such cruelty to a Senior Citizen.
Posted by: dave on Dec 4, 2008 at 02:20 AM
This 88 year old woman would have had a better chance if she lived in ohio because here we are allowed to shoot to kill in the event of an unallowed entry into your home. Call your governer and demand the same. NOONE should be allowed to enter your home without permission and in ohio, my .45 says so.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 3, 2008 at 09:40 PM
bad mouth these evil people all you want but they need caught before they kill some one surely some one out there knows who this is maybe if a reward could be offered any one that would hurt an elderly person would also hurt a child
Posted by: Susan on Dec 3, 2008 at 09:36 PM
I know Mrs. Merritt, she is a very tiny woman, I hope whoever did this pays when they meet their maker!!
Posted by: Lisa on Dec 3, 2008 at 07:44 PM
That is absolutely sickening that someone would do something like that to anyone let alone an 88 year-old woman.
Posted by: bonn on Dec 3, 2008 at 07:24 PM
Please do not call these wimps "men". It takes a wimp to rob and assault an elderly person, and they don't deserve the title of "men" nor do they deserve mercy!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 3, 2008 at 06:52 PM
I guess these two feel like real men assaulting an 88 year old woman. I hope they are caught and Bubba does them the same way. Sick people in this world.
Posted by: old lady on Dec 3, 2008 at 06:00 PM
Any low life that would scare,hurt,and rob an 88 year old woman needs to be taken out of socioty. How many cowardly druggies does it take to hurt an old woman?
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 3, 2008 at 05:35 PM
There is a special place in Hell for people like that.
Posted by: me on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:36 PM
How cowardly can you be to beat up on an elderly woman? They must really need to make them selves believe they are men but they aren't. I hope she is ok.
Posted by: Cylb on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:29 PM
It is so awful to hear that an elderly woman has been robbed of the little bit of money she has as well as being bullied by two cowardly men. I hope these men are caught and made to pay for being such vicious cowards.
Posted by: Bev on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:22 PM
COWARDS! There is a punishment for people who do things like this. If not in this world, then in the next. God bless this dear lady.
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  • Posted By: Fixed that for you: Any one who is paid by the general public, us, should have no problem taking urine tests. After all they are in the pubic debt for paying them. Its simple NO TEST, NO CHECK. This is not an attempt to violate rights, it is an attempt to enforce the publics right for our money to go to people in government and on welfare who can be TRUSTED.
  • Posted By: Chris to WSAZ: To all the workers and employees of WSAZ: Thank you for being there and allowing comments about the news.Our family watch only WSAZ news and enjoy each of you. I know that the recognition that you receive is little to none,but you deserve better.This goes out to the producers,cameramen,to everyone behind the scenes and the ones that are seen too. Thank you for having the best news program available to the public. God Bless Each and Everyone of You. Chris
  • Posted By: redbaron: in response to pablo on comment dated 01/06 - EXCUSE ME!! I do believe FIREFIGHTERS also risk their lives for total strangers and no they are NOT law enforcement!
  • Posted By: omg: I am so sick and tired of hearing how public school teachers are indebted to the public for their salary. Many of you are so freakin nosey that if your neighbor stopped too fast, you'd have to get a crane to remove your head from their rear. I am so tired of this drug test line. Teachers deserve to pee in peace and so do you. Why should teachers be forced to have their personal lives paraded all over the news? That is exactly what would happen. If a typical joe blow got fired from the coal mines for drugs, it wouldn't make front page news. A teacher being fired for drugs would. You people expect teachers to be the mother, father, grandparent, clergyman, counselor, as well as the teacher. You don't do anything with your kids but expect the teacher to fix all the problem you create. Some of them probably need drugs by the time they are done raising your spoiled kids who think the world owes them something on a silver platter. Take your own drug test before you get pregnant.
  • Posted By: Sophie: Re: The student (Hinzman?) being expelled for using foul language after being bullied & beaten on school grounds; you should not have been expelled for expressing your hurt, anger & disgust. You were a victim and did nothing. It is unreasonable to punish the victim - so what if he cussed - I'd cuss too if someone beat the beegeebers out of me. The kid who beat you should receive jail time & counciling; the kid who filmed you & released it on U-Tube should too. It has often been said that television is desensitizing our children so badly they have no empathy for others. This is a prime example. I hope the school board will have enough common sense to clear this victims school record of the incident as he should not have been expelled, and get him counciling also as such a trauma will surly have an effect on a young life.
  • Posted By: Boyd: Any one who is employed and gets paid by the general public, us, should have no problem taking urine tests. After all they are in the pubic debt for paying them for their work. Its simple NO TEST, NO JOB. This is not an attempt to violate rights, it is an attempt to enforce the publics right for federal, state and municipal employees who can be TRUSTED.
  • Posted By: George: As a parent I have no problem being drug tested. I'll stand in line right behind Katy.
  • Posted By: goodorbad: I look at it like this-if you dont have anything to hide, shut up and do the test!
  • Posted By: Rick: I think all teachers should be drug tested, I drive a transit bus for our county and I want the public to know I am drug free and teachers should want everyone to know the same, that their children are not in the care of people on drugs,if you have nothing to hide why object to random testing I know I don't
  • Posted By: Tea: I can't even imagine that our teachers have not been drug tested up until this time. Anyone who refuses should be fired. These are our children!!! People take drug test when they don't even work with people, let alone children. These are government jobs and we should have a say in what they have to do.
  • Posted By: Ari: Cheers to Rob-I feel ya!
  • Posted By: joe: I have worked for companies all over this nation and have had to take drug tests. Why should teachers be exempt from this practice? It is now common to be randomly tested(and I have been) so what makes a teacher any different than a steel worker. I can say proudly that I passed but I have seen those who didn't. They chose to use drugs and lost their jobs I didn't.
  • Posted By: Katy: As a teacher, I have no problem being randomly drug tested...as long as you agree to drug test the parents who enter the doors of my school as well. Most teachers deal with students who are exposed to/use more drugs and alcohol than any of the teachers. If these students or parents who are using drugs (and are not drug tested) enter our schools, the safety of the teachers and students are at risk. Since children spend more time with them, let's randomly drug test PARENTS, too!!!
  • Posted By: stephen: Why the heavy emphasis ont he damage to property and life Israel is doing . Where was the media uproar for years that Hamas was rocketing Israel irespective of innocent israelis.. Hamas is actualykilling their own citizens by firing rockets from UN schools and residents. Why does UN allow Hamas to use facilities for attacking Israel, then complain when Israel responds to protect their territory and citizens. Israel targets military targets, respons to from whence rockets or gun fire comes. What would we fire at if Huntington was attacked?Why does the media not put bla,e where balame belongs, and give moral support to the aggreived.What would America do if attacked? to whom would we listen? Russia, Saudi Arabia,Iran?.Media get REAL! Who has given Hamas and the Palestinians millions with which they could buy weapons---American taxpayers money!
  • Posted By: Robert: Although I feel for the employees that lost their positions at Cabell Huntington Hospital, at least more nurses were hired. I recently had a relative in the cardiac unit at Kings Daughters, in Ashland, and I was told that the nursing staff had been cut back and that no overtime was being given. This seems to be a drastic cut in patient care for a facility that spends thousands advertising that they are in the top 5% of cardiac hospitals in the country. I would be willing to wager that the Cleveland Clinic has not cut hours of those giving patient care.
  • Posted By: Boyd: If the state's budget is doing so well, why don't we use some of this money to help towns and cities in the state who are in trouble with their budget, or will this just become another pay raise for politicians?
  • Posted By: Rob: Why does everyone have to be so into using the term "racist" and have that kind of attitude. I know what my heritage is and who my ancestors were but you want to know what I consider myself? I AM AN AMERICAN! I was born and raised in this country and that's how I feel it should be. Born here, raised here.....then by God you are an American. Not an African American, not an Asian American etc. etc. You are an AMERICAN!
  • Posted By: Chris: To Ex-Officer: I agree with you 100% about the pay of police dept and the drug testing. I was formerly involved with the BCPD and had multiple ride alongs with the BCSO. I am probably one of their biggest critics due to having watch some of the bad side of the department for a long time. I wish that I could tell everything that I have seen officers do,which would put most of them behind bars or they'll lose their sheild, But retalliation is bad in our area. To the cops that do their job and do it with the best intentions, I proud of you and don't mean any disrespect. To the ones who I personally watch being more currupt then the "badguys" here,your day will be coming.
  • Posted By: Pablo: Teachers aren't the only ones underpaid. Law enforcement officers are underpaid also. And I'd like to speak about them. For example, I'm sure any parent would sacrifice their live for thier children. And several may give thier live to save their spouse. A few individuals may even do it for a close friend. But, I only know of 3 types of beings who will sacrifice thier lives for complete strangers; indeed even for people who hate them. The first would be our men and women in our armed forces. The second would be our law enforcement officers. And of course, third would be our Savior, Jesus Christ. Others are killed in the line of their employment, but not in order to save a complete stranger. Everytime a cop puts on his/her uniform, they can be a target for anyone upset about something. Even though it doesn't involve the cop personally, that very cop will give his life to save yours when a problem arises. We need to give our cops not only a wage, but a living wage and a great big THANKS.
  • Posted By: Craig: If what I am hearing is correct that Kanawha County teachers accepted a pay raise in return for submitting to drug testing, and then sued successfully so they do not have to be subject to testing, then why shouldn't we the taxpayers demand they return the raise?
  • Posted By: teresa: racist lmao i am one cherokee,german,irish,german,and who knows what else TIRED of hearing of racist comments u are either GOOD OR BAD k no skin color needed just evil or NOT
  • Posted By: Ex-Officer: I agree with Robert 100% I worked in law enforcement and loved the job but try to rise a family on less than 10.00 an hour (out of that pay for your own duty gear and gun). I believe that all public safety workers should be drug tested but i also believe that they should be paid for the job that they do. Not many people understand what a public safty worker goes through. Would you put your life on the line for this kind of pay? Remember the saying that you get what you pay for. I see this in several new officers in my area. Don't get me wrong there are still very good officers in law enforcement. Something really needs to be done about the low pay for these jobs.
  • Posted By: Garland: What's the difference between teachers and other workers(coal mineers, bus drivers, state employees,etc.)? Teachers aren't any better are they?
  • Posted By: : This is not a comment, but I would like comments on it please. What do you think of Poca High School? Racist or not?
  • Posted By: Robert: We the people, through our own self centeredness and apathy, have allowed our teachers and police officials to be some of the most underpaid people in the United States. We are trusting our childrens education and our public safety to the very people that are some of the most underpaid profesions in the U.S.. If I could change this, I would. However, I do believe that these people should be randomly drug tested. I work in the construction industry and I have no problem being drug tested. I have nothing to hide. I also believe that any person who is intrusted with the safety of others should have nothing to hide. This includes plitical officials up to and including the president.
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