Connellsville youths nabbed after police foot chase
CONNELLSVILLE — Three juveniles who allegedly forced their way into a Connellsville home and pistol-whipped an elderly resident were taken into police custody late Friday night after leading officers on a foot chase for over a mile.
The juveniles, two white males, ages 17 and 16, and a black male, 14, allegedly rang the doorbell at 606 East Francis Avenue at around 11 p.m., according to state police.
When 79-year-old Caesar Gaspari opened the door, the juveniles allegedly forced their way into the house at gunpoint, police said. One of the youths hit Gaspari twice in the head with a pistol, causing two severe lacerations, police said.
Two of the juveniles allegedly then forced Lisa Sue Gaspari, 35, into a bedroom to get a safe, police said.
According to police, the three youths took off from the Gaspari residence on foot, and officers followed footprints in the snow until the suspects were located at 106 West Cedar Street by Connellsville Police.
Caesar Gaspari was taken to Highlands Hospital for treatment of the wounds.
Police are continuing to investigate.