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$1,000 reward offered for info in Leicester armed home invasion

LEICESTER, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Police are offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who can give information that leads to the arrest of a man police say is responsible for an armed home invasion in Leicester.

The home invasion happened Sunday night around 10 p.m. in a home on a side street off Route 9. Two men, one of whom had a gun, entered a home and tied three people up, taping their mouths shut with duct-tape, according to an article in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

Although the people were able to free themselves and were uninjured, the men stole a number of items, and may have been aided by a third person in a getaway car, the article said.

One of the items stolen was a World War II Purple Heart belonging to the victim's father, who is deceased. The victim's father, a United States Marine, was injured during a battle and later shook General MacArthur's hand when the general congratulated the troops involved. The return of the purple heart would mean a great deal to the family. Leicester Police Chief James Hurley stated that the purple heart can be mailed to the Leicester Police Department at 90 South Main St., Leicester, Mass. 01524. The police will also arrange a pick-up if necessary, no questions asked.

"This medal was earned by a Marine fighting for our freedom during WWII and it deserves to be with his family," Hurley said in a release.

Police released a sketch of a man they say is wanted for the home invasion. He is described as a heavyset Hispanic or light-skinned black man. He is around 5-feet, 7-inches tall, and had dreadlocks and a scruffy beard and mustache. He was also wearing a Cincinnati Reds baseball hat.

Anyone who can provide information that will lead to the "arrest and conviction" of the man could receive a $1,000 reward from police. People can call the Leicester police tip line at 508-892-7010.