John E. Edwards
Robert D. BrownHARTLY, Del.- Delaware State Police have arrested a pair of suspects in connection with a home invasion robbery that left two people injured last week in Hartly. The suspects are also accused of sexually assaulting one of the victims during the incident.
John E. Edwards, 24, and Robert D. Brown, both of Hartly, are each charged with two counts of first-degree robbery, two counts of home invasion, one count each of first-degree rape, first- and second-degree assault, possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, aggravated menacing, wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony and second-degree conspiracy.
Investigators said the incident occurred at approximately 3:45 a.m. Wednesday, March 6, as Edwards and Brown pulled up in a vehicle at a home located on Brittney Drive. Police said one of the suspects entered the main home while the other walked over to a motor home parked in the driveway.
According to police, the suspect who entered the main home confronted a 29-year-old male victim with a handgun and grabbed his wallet from his pocket before ordering him outside. Once outside, the suspect then allegedly assaulted the victim, knocking him to the ground. The suspect then ran to the motor home where police say an apparent fight ensued between a 54-year-old male victim and the two suspects. The suspects then allegedly fled the area in an unknown direction.
The 29-year-old victim was taken to Kent General Hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries sustained in the incident. The 54-year-old victim was initially treated at KGH before being flown to Christiana Medical Center where he is currently listed in critical condition. Police said a further investigation revealed the 54-year-old victim had been sexually assaulted with an unknown object during the altercation in the motor home.
Following their arrests on the aforementioned charges, Edwards was ordered held on $191,000 secured bond while Brown was ordered held on $425,000 secured bond.
