Two men and a juvenile, a grandfather, son and grandson, have been charged in connection with an armed home invasion Monday night in Danville, according to police.
Officers responded to a home on Beatrice Street around 9 p.m. after a friend on a video call with a 12-year-old who was home alone reported the break-in, Danville Police Lt. Justine Merced said. Three men wearing black masks and carrying baseball bats had forced their way through the front door, police said. The suspects threatened the juvenile with serious harm and were searching for the child's father, according to police.
A search of the area with a police K9 tracked from the scene to a nearby mobile home. The resident, Nathan Wilder, initially denied involvement, police said. The investigation advanced when the 911 caller learned from friends that one of the suspects had bragged about the crime.
Police identified the suspects as John Wilder, Nathan Wilder and a juvenile relative. John Wilder later admitted he, his son (Nathan) and grandson broke into the home because they were upset that drugs were allegedly being sold there, according to court documents. Three baseball bats, two ski masks and clothing were seized as evidence.
John Wilder and Nathan Wilder were arrested and charged with burglary with a weapon and criminal threatening with a deadly weapon. John Wilder also faces a criminal mischief charge. Both were arraigned Wednesday and ordered held without bail pending a probable cause hearing Tuesday. The juvenile was released to a grandparent, police said.
“I have been here for 13 years and have not ever experienced one here,” Merced said of the home invasion.
NEK will be looking into court records for further details on the alleged drug sales that motivated the break-in.
Photo: Gayatri Malhotra via Unsplash. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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