Jeffery Joseph Hunt

A Winona Lake man accused of robbing and beating a New Paris man during a home invasion incident last month was arrested Wednesday and has had his initial hearing in court.

Jeffery Hunt, 25, of Winona Lake, and his father, Jeffrey Hill, 43, also of Winona Lake, are charged with robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, a Class A felony; burglary resulting in bodily injury, a Class A felony; criminal confinement with a deadly weapon, a Class B felony; and conspiracy to commit burglary, a Class B felony.

For each Class A felony charge, the men face up to 50 years in prison. For each Class B felony, up to 20 years in prison is the penalty.

Jeffrey R. Hill

Hill was the first to be arrested for the crimes. Elkhart County authorities say the father and son forced their way into an elderly couple’s home on the night of Nov. 4, striking Donald Neer, 82, with a tire iron. Neer suffered a broken neck in the attack.

Both the Hill and Hunt have criminal histories. (See related)

Hunt’s has initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. A trial is scheduled for March 17, 2014, but there is still time for him to accept a plea.