Two Peoria men allegedly targeted handicapped woman in robbery

PEORIA — Two Peoria men were charged Friday with residential burglary and robbery for allegedly targeting a handicapped woman.

Paul Edward Cox III, 23, and Ketorius Montez Brady, 25, appeared in Peoria County Circuit Court and were ordered held on $250,000 and $300,000 respectively.

Prosecutors allege that at around midnight on Friday morning, three men broke into the apartment at 3415 W. Oakcrest Drive, demanded money and knocked the occupant out of her wheelchair before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash in coins.

Cox and Brady, whose addresses were available Friday, were arrested near the scene and identified by the victim. A third man was taken into custody and released.

One of the suspects allegedly admitted to police they chose that particular apartment because they thought the handicapped woman would be an easy target.

Both are scheduled for a Jan. 9 preliminary hearing. If convicted of all counts, they face up to 15 years in prison.