ENOSBURGH, Vt. -
The attack happened at a rural home on Perley Road in Enosburgh. Peter Leary, 84, and his partner Michael St. Joseph told police they were watching television Monday evening when they heard their front door open. Moments later they came face-to-face with two masked men and a gun.
"On their way through the door they were shouting to the older gentleman give me your meds," said Sgt. James Lynch, Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
That's when Leary told police Damian Delisle, 20, of Enosburgh pistol whipped him and broke his nose. St. Joseph tried to fight them off using his partner's cane. Police say Delisle and his accomplice Timothy Lacross, 17, of Berkshire pushed passed the elderly men and stole all their medications from the bathroom.
Police say the two men took off on foot but were spotted by several residents about a mile away. After police and border patrol set-up a perimeter, the two men were taken into custody on Alan Drive in Enosburgh.
"I really don't think there was much in the way of forethought. I think there was an opportunity and they decided to roll the dice and see what they came up with," said Lynch.
Delisle and Lacross were charged with burglary and aggravated assault with a weapon. They denied those allegations in court. The community is outraged by the alleged incident.
"I think that's horrible. I think anybody who assaults an elderly person has got to be the worst of the worst. Just total scum," said Christine Coffee of Montgomery.
But Coffee says the alleged attack doesn't surprise her because she's watched the area's drug problem escalate over the last few years.
"It's here too," said Coffee, "It's everywhere. No community is safe unfortunately. And you really just have to guard your grandparents."
For police, the victim's age and vulnerability tugged at the heartstrings.
"It's unfortunate when things go so poorly," said Lynch, "When you've come this far and done the right things through life. We all care about our grandparent and parents."
A judge ordered Delisle held without bail because of his criminal record. Lacross was released into his mother's custody with a 24 hour curfew.
Damian Delisle
Timothy Lacross
