Police get warrants in home invasion
Nathaniel Johnson, left, and Sheldon Morris are wanted by Washington police in connection with a home invasion last week on West Hallam Avenue.
Nathaniel Johnson
Sheldon Morris
Washington police obtained arrest warrants Monday for two of three men wanted in connection with a home invasion last week on West Hallam Avenue.
Nathaniel Johnson, 21, and Sheldon Morris, 19, both of Washington, are accused of entering the home of Dustin Shane Phillips at 69 W. Hallam Ave. Wednesday night, along with an unidentified third man. Phillips was home with his five daughters, ranging in age from 2 to 9, said city police Detective Dan Rush.
Phillips was upstairs when the three men reportedly came to the back door of the house. One of the children allowed the men to enter because Johnson and Morris were known to the family and had been at the house in the past.
The alleged victim invited the men upstairs and into his bedroom, thinking they had stopped over to play a game on his Sony PlayStation 4. Phillips sat on the couch and Johnson reportedly tried putting duct tape around his wrists.
The third man allegedly pulled out a gray and black semi-automatic pistol, and Phillips told police that he tried to get out the window when the gunman fired a shot. The bullet struck a speaker on the floor under the window.
Police said the three suspects told Phillips they would not hurt the children, who reportedly were standing in the hall. Morris reportedly asked Phillips for the money from his tax return. Phillips said he told them he was not sure where it was, so the three began ransacking the bedroom looking for the money.
Phillips told police the men became more aggravated because they were not able to find the cash. He reportedly offered them a $100 gift card he got from H&R Block, but the men refused to take it. He said they instead took the Playstation along with five games, placing the items into a backpack that was in the room.
Phillips said one of the men took his cellphone and a phone belonging to one of his daughters, but said he would leave them on the porch.
Phillips said the three men left, running down a nearby alley.
After checking to make sure his daughters were OK, Phillips said he went onto the porch, retrieved the cellphones and called 911.
“The victim has known Johnson and Morris since they were children,” Rush said Tuesday. “They had a long history of friendship. They frequently visited the home. The children referred to Johnson as their uncle.”
The third alleged robber is described as black, 30 to 40 years old, with thick-framed glasses. Phillips said he wore a black beanie on his head with the hood on his shirt pulled up over it.
Johnson and Morris are charged with six counts of reckless endangerment and one count each of conspiracy, burglary and robbery. Rush said both men are believed to be in the Washington area. District Judge Robert Redlinger has issued warrants for their arrests.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call 911.