By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Hillsboro resident Randall Decker was in for a surprise at 4:27 a.m. Thursday when he let an acquaintance into his house.

He promptly was threatened with a knife and punched several times in the face.

Decker’s assailant left before police arrived.

Decker, 66, of the 100 block of N. Lincoln St., was taken to Hillsboro Community Hospital by Hillsboro ambulance.

As ambulance attendants treated him, rural Hillsboro resident Freddie Dean Allnutt called Decker and said Derrick R. Laplante had broken into his house, as well.

Allnutt, 74, rural Hillsboro, was robbed of his wedding band, valued at $200, and punched. Also punched was Floyd Edward Frantz, who was at the farmhouse.

Neither Allnutt nor Frantz sought medical treatment, Undersheriff Larry Starkey said.

Laplante, 38, Hillsboro, was arrested at his residence 12 hours later by Hillsboro police.

That very day, Laplante formally was charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary of a dwelling, two counts of aggravated battery, and three counts of aggravated assault.

According to a complaint issued in the case, Laplante took property by threat of bodily harm while armed with dangerous weapon; entered into a dwelling near 210th and Kanza Rds. with intent to commit a felony; caused great bodily harm or disfigurement to Frantz and Decker; and placed Allnutt, Decker, and Frantz in apprehension of immediate bodily harm with a deadly weapon.

Deputy Steven Janzen’s report said Laplante was suspected of using both drugs and alcohol at the time.

He was charged in May 2018 with battery and disorderly conduct. He pleaded guilty to two counts of disorderly conduct.

Laplante was charged in December 2015 with criminal threat, trespass, criminal damage to property, and disorderly conduct. He pleaded guilty to two counts of making a criminal threat.

In Harvey County, Laplante was charged in November with possession of drug paraphernalia. The charge was dismissed in May.

He was charged in August with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, two counts of aggravated endangerment of a child, and attempted aggravated battery. The case remains pending.