Victims of home invasion recovering

All suspects have been apprehended by Columbia police since the incident.

By Kathleen Pointer

Published Sept. 21, 2007

Five children were victims in a home invasion and robbery in Columbia, according to a news release from the Columbia Police Department. Columbia police responded to a call after 9 p.m. on Tuesday on the 1500 block of Citadel Drive.

According to the police report, the three suspects were referred to authorities on counts of armed criminal action, first-degree burglary, felonious restraint, forcible rape, forcible sodomy and first-degree robbery.

"One of the victims was able to free himself from the duct tape and was able to call 911 from a neighbor's house," Columbia Police Department Sgt. Ken Hammond said.

The five victims, all siblings who range in age from 8 to 16, were home alone at the time of the incident.

Hammond said the juveniles have no sustained injuries, although one was taken to the hospital.

"The only one taken to the hospital was the sexual-assault victim, and I don't believe she is still there," Hammond said.

The police were able to locate three of the subjects by approximately 2 a.m.

All of the suspects taken into custody were male juveniles, two aged 15 and one aged 16.

Hammond said two of the suspects were located in a residence, and he was unsure about the location of apprehension for the third.

The Boone County Prosecutors' Office also issued an arrest warrant for Christopher L. Jacobs, 17.

The warrant charges Jacobs with the same offenses as the other three suspects.

Jacobs turned himself into the Boone County Sheriff's Department at 4 p.m. on Sept. 20.

He is the fourth individual to be taken into custody with regards to the home invasion.

Hammond said Jacobs is not believed to be the final suspect in this invasion.