CHATHAM—Five people face charges in connection with a home invasion on County Route 17, the morning of Thursday, January 12 at 12:39.

The homeowners, a husband and his wife were sleeping, when they were awakened by noises. Thinking someone was in their house, they checked further. The husband reported that at least two people had entered the residence.  When confronted by both homeowners, one male perpetrator displayed a handgun before leaving the residence. The couple immediately called 911 to report the home invasion. No one was injured during the incident, according to a press release from Sheriff David Harrison, Jr., who said deputies were summoned to the home by County 911.

While on their way to the call, Sergeant Donald Krapf and Deputy Kris Bauhoff stopped a vehicle with several individuals in it on County Route 28 in Niverville. With assistance from State Police and Chatham Police patrols, two illegal handguns were found, one a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun and the second a small caliber revolver that was not loaded.

An investigation revealed that the vehicle and its occupants had been involved in the County Route 17 home invasion, the sheriff said in the release.

All five were charged with first degree conspiracy to commit burglary, a class E felony. They are: Jeremy Bost, 22, of Old Post Road, Ghent; Joshua Spencer, 28, of State Street, Hudson; Christopher Anderson, 24, of Old Post Road, Ghent; Katrina Lewis, 19, of Columbia Street, Hudson and Shavanyce Q. Anthony-Lewis, 18, of Harry Howard Avenue, Hudson.

They were arraigned before Livingston Justice Robert Q Moore and sent to the Columbia County Jail without bail.

The case will be presented to the Grand Jury on Tuesday, January 17.  Additional charges are probable.

Additionally, a parole arrest warrant has been issued for Mr. Anderson by the state Division of Parole in Albany.

Mr. Anderson was a defendant in the November 1, 2004 home invasion and murder of Livingston fruit farmer Henry Gropp on Mill Road. He was convicted of second degree burglary and is currently on parole.

The Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Branch, deputies, crime scene technicians, District Attorney Paul Czajka and Assistant District Attorney David Costanzo are continuing the investigation. Sheriff’s investigators are also working with State Police investigators to determine if any of the suspects were involved in other home invasions.

Sheriff Harrison said that the crime appears random as there is no connection between the homeowners and the perpetrators. The investigation revealed that the group had looked at one other residence before entering the home on County Route 17. The Sheriff said this is a serious incident which could have ended tragically. County residents should consider installing home alarms and are reminded to lock all doors and windows when home sleeping and when not at home.

“These are the times we live in and it’s unfortunate, but taking time to ensure that homes are secure and calling 911 whenever something suspicious is happening can make a big difference,” the sheriff said.