AHOSKIE – The Hertford County Sheriff’s Office has developed a person of interest in connection with a violent home invasion near here Sunday night that sent an elderly man to the hospital with broken ribs.

“We got a good lead yesterday (Monday) on this case and are currently in the process of locating this person,” Sheriff Dexter Hayes said Tuesday afternoon.

Hayes said the incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. at a residence on Early Station Road.

“The victims – a husband and his wife – came home sometimes around 8 p.m. on Sunday and as they were entering their house, two to three unknown subjects forced their way into the home from behind the couple,” Hayes said. “They robbed the couple of various items at gunpoint, assaulted the husband in the process, and then fled the scene.”

The Sheriff added that the female victim suffered a bruise.

“I’m sure she was shaken emotionally from this, but she wasn’t seriously injured. The acts of aggression were carried out against the husband,” Hayes said.

Despite developing a person of interest, Sheriff Hayes is still asking the public for their assistance in helping to solve this case.

“If someone happened to be traveling along Early Station Road in the vicinity of Pinewood Manor (rest home) between 7:45 – to – 8:30 p.m. Sunday and witnessed individuals walking along the road or if they saw a vehicle parked up a path, please give us a call,” Hayes stressed. “All callers will remain anonymous.”

The Hertford County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at 252-358-7800.