Police: Man, 75, bound and daughter severely beaten in Chester home invasion

A Philadelphia man and woman have been charged in a home invasion in Chester that left a 75-year-old man bound at the hands and feet by cords, and his 49-year-old daughter severely beaten and in critical condition.

Erinn Howarth, 25, of Germantown - who is possibly the man's housekeeper - and Richard Johnson, 23, of Juniata Park, were arraigned Thursday morning on charges that include robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and conspiracy. Both were held in the Delaware County prison on $1 million bail each.

According to police, the attack on Dennis McCarthy of the 700 block of East 25th Street and his daughter, Beth, occurred late Tuesday. The affidavit of probable cause and police officials gave the following account:

Around 5 p.m., McCarthy was brushing his teeth on the second floor when he felt a gun pressed against his head. Police believe the gunman was shielding his face with a bandanna as he asked for the combination to McCarthy's safe, which contained jewelry and a vintage coin collection.

When McCarthy responded that he did not know, the gunman bound his hands and feet in his bedroom, then ransacked his room as a second person tried to open the safe.

After removing the safe from the closet, the intruders left his bedroom, where McCarthy remained bound for nearly two hours until he was able to free himself.

He then found his daughter, who entered the home while the incident was in progress, severely beaten and bleeding badly in the hallway, her hands and feet bound by electrical cord.

As he tried to untie her, authorities say, Howarth appeared with a handgun, and retied the man's hands and feet. After she stole McCarthy's medications and fled, according to police, he was again able to untie himself, and found a neighbor to call 911.

Beth McCarthy was hospitalized and remains in critical but stable condition.

Police are still trying to determine a motive for the attack. Hours before the invasion, another of McCarthy's daughters told detectives, Howarth and Johnson had stopped by McCarthy's house to retrieve a bikini that Howarth had left there.

Authorities believe a third person was involved, but as of Thursday night had not identified a suspect.

cmccabe@philly.com

610-313-8113@mccabe_caitlin