N.J. couple admits tying up elderly man

A man and wife from New Jersey face prison after they admitted tying up an 80-year-old Gardnerville Ranchos man with a telephone cord and taking his credit cards.

Dylan and Marie Ravel of Rio Grande, N.J., are to be sentenced Nov. 22 by District Judge Michael Gibbons.

Dylan Ravel, 29, pleaded guilty Oct. 11 to robbery of a person over age 60. He faces up to 15 years in Nevada State Prison. The penalty is doubled because of the victim's age.

Marie Ravel, 30, pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy to commit robbery and faces up to six years in prison.

The couple had been living in a small cabin on the victim's property for three weeks after Dylan Ravel was hired by the elderly man's son.

The victim told deputies the Ravels entered his home Sept. 24 to use his telephone. Once inside, they ordered him onto the floor. The victim said Dylan Ravel threatened him and struck him on the head three times with a fireplace poker. He pretended to be unconscious, and Ravel bound his legs and took his wallet.

After the Ravels left his residence, the victim said it took him 10 minutes to free himself and call 911. When deputies arrived, he answered the door with the phone cord still wrapped around his legs and showed investigators the bump on his head.

Dylan Ravel told Gibbons he couldn't remember what happened because he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol. He said he had been smoking methamphetamine and needed money.

Sheila Gardner can be reached at sgardner@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 214.