Couple jailed in assault of man, 80

MINDEN - A husband and wife from New Jersey remained in jail Monday after allegedly tying up and beating an elderly Gardnerville man, authorities said.

Dylan Ravel, 29, was being held in the Douglas County Jail on suspicion of felony robbery, burglary, battery with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit battery and possession of drug paraphernalia. His wife, Marie Lena Ravel, 30, was being held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit battery and possession of stolen property.

About 9 p.m. Friday, police were called to the home of an 80-year-old man, whom they found partially bound around the legs and an arm.

He said he'd been tied up, beaten, and robbed in his home by Dylan Ravel, a laborer hired by his son to do some work on the property, said Douglas County Sheriff's Sgt. Tom Mezzetta

Ravel and his wife had been living in an outbuilding on the property for approximately three weeks, he said.

The victim said when he arrived home Friday, the suspects were parked in his driveway. Dylan Ravel allegedly entered the victim's home on the pretense of using the phone. Once inside, he placed a brief call then hung up and quickly armed himself with a fireplace poker, Mezzetta said.

"The victim was ordered to the floor, where his hands were tied behind his back," he said. "The victim was then struck several times in the head with the fireplace poker."

Mezzetta said when the man faked unconsciousness, Ravel allegedly tied his legs and stole his wallet.

Marie Ravel walked into the home toward the end of the incident, and it's unclear what her involvement was, Mezzetta said.

About 10 minutes after discovering the victim, police stopped the Ravels. They were arrested without incident. A search of the vehicle allegedly turned up items removed from the victim's home, Mezzetta said.

The Ravels were being held on $100,000 bail each.