Alleged robbery and assault reported in Rutland

RUTLAND – An alleged robbery and assault has been reported to have happened in Rutland according to law enforcement.

Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood reports that his office is investigating a Robbery that occurred at a residence on Parkinson Road in Rutland, Ohio. Sheriff Wood states that his office received a call at 9:14 p.m. last evening that James C. Cox, age 61, was assaulted and robbed at his residence on Parkinson Road.

Deputies arrived at the scene along with Meigs County EMS and Cox was transported to the hospital for his injuries. Statements obtained indicated that four male subjects knocked on Cox’s door around 8:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. asking for directions when one of the subjects sprayed Cox in the face with pepper spray and then struck him in the head with a garden rake that was on his porch. Three firearms, two shotguns and one muzzleloader was stolen.

Witnesses stated that the male subjects were in a dark blue four door car, possibly a Ford Focus, with a chrome grill and a partial Ohio license plate beginning with “AA” or “AZ”.

Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine’s Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was contacted and arrived to assist with the investigation. Also, the Ohio State Patrol, Gallia County Sheriff’s Office and the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office provided assistance in searching for the suspect vehicle.

Cox’s condition is unknown at this time.