Intruder assaults 3, decrying their faith

Associated Press

Posted: December 17, 2012

LANCASTER - Three elderly Mennonites were tied up and assaulted with a stun gun by a home invader who raged against their faith and vandalized their Bible, authorities said.

The victims, all women over 84, remained hospitalized in central Pennsylvania on Saturday, according to the Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era.

The ordeal began Friday morning while two of the women were at a house in Clay Township, Lancaster County, part of an area that is a traditional Mennonite stronghold. The intruder went to the door, posing as an insurance salesman, and was let in, police said.

After speaking with the women to determine that they were alone, police said, the man attacked them with a stun gun, hit them, bound their hands and feet, and covered their faces.

The assailant indicated he was once a Mennonite and expressed rage toward members of the faith, according to Northern Lancaster County Regional Police. He read various passages from a Bible the women had and then vandalized it, police said.

The suspect also ransacked the house and poured household chemicals on floors and furniture, authorities said.

During the assault, a third woman arrived at the home. She was also attacked and restrained, police said.

WPMT-TV reported that the man fled with cash and valuables.

The women were found several hours later by a relative, who called police.