Halloween comes early during heist

Two men cloaked in “Scream” masks and toting a gun broke into a New Hope Road apartment Thursday night in Waynesboro and made off with less than $200, city police said.

Police arrived at the home shortly after 8 p.m. where they were told two males, age 15 to 20, forced their way in with a handgun and demanded money, police said. The victims, a 30-year-old woman and her 13-year-old daughter, were not harmed. The thieves left with a purse and cash.

Waynesboro police Sgt. Kelly Walker said he’s seen the “Scream” mask used before, but could not pinpoint the reasoning for its use this time.

“The ‘Scream’ mask completely obscures your identity as far as facial recognition,” Walker said. “It’s scary and frightful-looking. I think availability is the key. Any store you go into right now, Halloween masks are available.”

The thieves didn’t make off with anything substantial, Walker said, a common trend with robberies.

“Usually, robberies don’t net very much in reward for the effort and violence that is brought to bear,” he said.

Garrett Spears, 20, lives directly beneath the victims, but said aside from a small scuffle he didn’t hear much.

“We were listening to music so I only heard a couple of thumps,” Spears said. “One of ’em was wearin’ socks on his hands though. I guess he couldn’t find gloves.”

Police could not get a good clothing or physical description of the two men, Walker said.