BY GAYLA CAWLEY
LYNN — Anthony Wheeler was arrested Tuesday for a home invasion last month that involved pouring scalding water on a man’s crotch.
On June 25 at about 11:30 p.m., officers received a call from Fortesque Terrace, where the victim, a 65-year-old black Lynn man, was found with his wrists tied up. The victim told police he had been outside drinking a beer when he was approached by a heavy-set black woman who asked to use his cell phone, Lynn Police Lt. Rick Donnelly said.
As the woman used his phone, the victim used the bathroom and came out to find a black man, later identified as Wheeler, 34, had entered his apartment and had a knife. Wheeler asked where the money was and the victim told him he didn’t have any, Donnelly said.
Wheeler then allegedly pushed the victim on the bed, tied his hands up and the woman said she knew how to make him talk. She then came with a tea kettle of hot water and poured it onto his crotch, making the victim scream in pain, Donnelly said.
Two credit cards, 10 bottles of cologne, a phone and contents from the refrigerator were stolen, Donnelly said.
A few days after the incident, a detective followed up with the victim of the robbery at Massachusetts General Hospital, who had second degree burns on his groin and thigh area, and burns on his right hand. The victim also told police that the woman had tried to solicit money from him for sexual favors, Donnelly said.
Officers figured out that the suspect, described as a short, black man with an Indian-style haircut, was Wheeler and obtained a warrant for his arrest. The woman has not been identified, Donnelly said.
When Wheeler was booked, officers found a substance believed to be heroin in his sock.
He was also charged with heroin possession along with his warrant charges of a home invasion, armed robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, drug possession, trespassing and breaking and entering.
Gayla Cawley can be reached at gcawley@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley.