BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Police are searching for a man who broke into the home of an elderly couple while they slept early Tuesday morning on Coldwater Road in Inez.

According to Chief Deputy Chris Kidd of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the couple’s daughter reported the home invasion after the fact, explaining that her parents were too terrified to call 911 during the ordeal.

“They were scared and didn’t know what to do,” Kidd said. “Their daughter showed me a Ring doorbell image of the intruder, which I immediately shared with other law enforcement.”

The suspect, quickly identified as 50-year-old Rondal Endicott Jr. of Inez, was caught on surveillance footage arriving at the property around 2:45 a.m.

“He lay on their porch and appeared to fall asleep,” Kidd explained. “He woke up several times and beat on the windows.”

Around 6:45 a.m., Endicott entered the house through the front door. The couple were startled awake by the sight of a shadow moving through their living room and into the back bedroom.

“The female victim said Endicott crawled into her husband’s bed and completely covered himself with the sheets and blankets,” said Kidd. “After a verbal exchange, he jumped up and ran out the front door.”

Security footage captured Endicott leaving the house, saying something unintelligible before darting across the yard and onto Coldwater Road, where he disappeared.

A warrant has been issued for Endicott’s arrest. Kidd is urging anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the sheriff’s office or dial 911.