By Michael R. Moser / mmoser@crossville-chronicle.com
Law enforcement officers are seeking the public's assistance in identifying and bringing to justice the two men who have committed a series of home invasions in the tri-county area around the Rockwood Airport.
Monday around 3 a.m. two men forced their way into a Mt. Vernal Rd. home near the Westel community in northeastern Cumberland County and robbed the elderly couple at gunpoint.
No one was injured in the incident nor have any injuries been reported in similar attacks in Morgan and Roane counties, but investigators fear if the two assailants are not stopped, someone could get hurt.
"We really need some help on this," Cumberland County Sheriff's Investigator Bo Kollros said. "We have been fortunate in that no one has been hurt to date. We need to get these two before someone is hurt."
The couple, described as in their 70s, were asleep when the two men burst into their bedroom, armed with a sawed-off shotgun, according to Deputy Tracy Bayless' report.
The two stole a pistol that was on top of a wardrobe, a Stephenson single-shot shotgun from the kitchen hallway, $100 bill from the male victim's wallet and medication from a cabinet.
"They (the victims) witnessed to the two about Jesus and when one of them grabbed the man's billfold, he took out a $100 bill but left them $30," Kollros said.
As in the cases in other counties, the two were wearing white handkerchiefs over their faces, dark ball caps, grey sweaters and heavy work boots. Victims said both were about six-foot tall.
The two men reportedly mentioned a burglary that had occurred at the same residence two weeks earlier.
Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department at (931) 484-6176 and speak to Investigator Kollros.
