Man charged in home invasion, assault of 92-year-old woman

EWING TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- Police in Ewing Township, Mercer County have made an arrest in the robbery and assault of a 92-year-old woman.

21-year-old Joseph Blanche of Trenton is charged with kidnapping, robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, and related offenses.

The incident occurred sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning on Manor Drive.

Police say Blanche and another man broke into the woman's home while she was asleep.

They ransacked the place and demanded money.

"Pulled the covers off the woman and proceeded to beat her amongst her body," Ewing Township Detective Nicholas Muscente said.

They then bound her with an appliance cord and dragged her to the basement.

When a concerned friend noticed her door was open Tuesday morning, she called police.

Arriving officers found the 92-year old conscious, but badly beaten.

Police say the suspects stole the victim's vehicle. The vehicle was recovered by Ewing police on Wednesday, the same day Blanche was taken into custody.

Blanche was taken to the Mercer County Correctional Center in lieu of a $2-million bail.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Muscente at 609-882-1313 ext. 7596 or the Ewing Police Tip Line at 609-882-7530.