Teen, Export man charged in Murrysville home invasion

Murrysville police this week arrested a second man and a 17-year-old juvenile in a violent weekend home invasion on School Road.

The teenager, Devin C. Logan of Murrysville, and Robert V. Mertsch, 23, of Export both are charged with aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, criminal conspiracy, reckless endangerment and theft in connection with the 7:30 a.m. Saturday assault and break-in at a home on the 3800 block of School Road.

On Sunday, police arrested Edward P. Hodoba, 23, of Penn Township for his role in the break-in. Hodoba is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison on $100,000 bond.

Mertsch was released after posting $5,000 bond, according to online court dockets. Logan is charged as an adult and is being held in the juvenile detention center in Hempfield after failing to post $15,000 bond, according to online records.

The victims, a man and woman, said they were awakened by four intruders wearing masks and gloves, who bound them with duct tape and threatened them with guns, Detective Sgt. W. Thomas Kusinsky reported in an affidavit of probable cause filed before Export District Judge Charles Conway.

“(The male victim) was struck several times with the butt of a rifle in the head, causing injuries to his face and eye,” Kusinsky wrote.

Kusinsky reported that “for a moment” one of the intruder's face was exposed and both victims recognized Hodoba.

In Mertsch's complaint, the victims reported recognizing Logan's voice during the robbery. Kusinsky said Logan used to live in the home and moved out in July.

“It was believed that the victim's residence would contain drugs and money,” Kusinsky wrote.

Kusinsky said a .40-caliber Glock handgun, .22 long rifle, Xbox One console, Xbox 360, wallet, Michael Kors purse, $100 and multiple pairs of Air Jordan shoes were taken.

Paul Peirce is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-850-2860, ppeirce@tribweb.com or via Twitter @ppeirce_trib.