Home Invasions Yield Prison Time

HARRISONBURG — A Harrisonburg man accused of committing two home invasions pleaded guilty Tuesday in Rockingham County Circuit Court.

 

Christopher John Hunt, 29, entered guilty pleas to felony robbery and two felony counts of use of a firearm.

 

As part of a plea deal, Judge James Lane sentenced Hunt to 12 years in prison.

 

The first home invasion happened Nov. 21, 2011, police say.

 

Police responded to a home on Putter Court after a man reported two men broke into his home and held him at gunpoint. 
Investigators later identified the men as Hunt and his co-defendant, Marlon Wright, 22, of Harrisonburg.

 

The case against Wright is pending.

 

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Alycia Eldridge said the two men entered the home, pointed a gun at the victim, struck him on the head and demanded he empty his pockets.

 

After scooping up some electronics and money, Eldridge said, the robbers told the victim to take off his clothes and get into the bathroom. They then used a chair to secure the door shut.

 

Eldridge said an iPad stolen from the home was pawned, which led police to the defendants.

 

Prosecutors say the second robbery took place Jan. 10, 2012, on Chicory Lane.

 

A friend of the victim took Hunt and a second unidentified man to the home. There, prosecutors say, Hunt pulled a gun and demanded the victim empty his pockets.

 

He was arrested Jan. 11, 2012.

 

Contact Pete DeLea at 574-6278 or pdelea@dnronline.com