A 71-year-old man was nearly killed earlier this month when two individuals broke into his Roseville area home, beat him with a shotgun and robbed him.

Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz says the two suspects have been apprehended after diligent police work by his deputies.

According to Lutz, on the night of Saturday, February 13, the two suspects entered the elderly man’s residence along Gills Hollow Road with the intent to rob him.

During the burglary, the suspects used the homeowner’s own shotgun against him, causing severe injuries to his head.

After the assault, the two individuals stole multiple items from the elderly man’s home, leaving him in life-threatening condition.

According to scanner traffic at the time, a medical helicopter was dispatched to the scene to assist with his severe injures.

“The victim is very fortunate to be alive,” Lutz added.

After nearly a week-and-a-half of investigations, Lutz said both suspects had been identified and arrested.

John McFarland Jr, 38-years-old, and John Hill Jr., 22-years-old, have both been charged with numerous crimes related to the assault and robbery.

McFarland was already incarcerated in the Muskingum County Jail after being arrested for an OVI-related offense.

Both suspects have been charged with the following nine criminal statutes:

• Count 1: Aggravated burglary with a firearm specification, a first-degree felony.
• Count 2: Aggravated burglary with a firearm specification, a first-degree felony.
• Count 3: Aggravated robbery with a firearm specification, a first-degree felony.
• Count 4: Aggravated robbery with a firearm specification, a first-degree felony.
• Count 5: Felonious assault with a firearm specification, a second-degree felony.
• Count 6: Felonious assault with a firearm specification, a second-degree felony.
• Count 7: Theft with a firearm, a third-degree felony.
• Count 8: Tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony.
• Count 9: Tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony.

Based on their charges, both suspects could face spending a significant amount of the rest of their lives in prison if convicted.

While Lutz wouldn’t elaborate on how officers ultimately identified either suspect, he said it was largely attributed to great police techniques and the hard work of his detectives and deputies.

“We utilized many things the public doesn’t even realize,” said Lutz.

The name of the victim has not yet been released.

According to Lutz, the victim and the suspects didn’t know each other, but police believe a mutual acquaintance did.

That acquaintance is actively a person of interest to investigators.

No more information was available as of the time of publication.