Siblings assaulted by 3 robbers

3/22/2001

Two siblings were assaulted when three men barged into their house and stole a VCR, police said.

Clayton Miller, 38, and his sister, Pamela Miller, 39, were assaulted during the incident Tuesday at 1015 Liberty St. Mr. Miller was treated at St. Charles Mercy Hospital.

Mr. Miller told police he heard a noise at the side door about 10 p.m. and thought it was the screen door banging in the wind. When he opened the door, he was rushed by the men. One of them hit him in the forehead with a pool ball and swung a bat at him. When he struggled with the men, he was hit in the back of the head with the bat, police said.

Ms. Miller came downstairs when she heard the commotion. One of the men approached her and hit her in the mouth, knocking her to the ground.

Ms. Miller's son saw his mother on the floor, picked up an object, and threw it at the man. The man chased the 15-year-old boy through the living room, out the front door, and across the street.

When Ms. Miller ran after the man chasing her son, he punched her in the face and knocked her down, police said.

The man returned to the house, where the other two suspects were holding Mr. Miller.

The man ransacked the house and took the VCR, police said.