Home-invasion, rape suspect guilty

An ex-convict, whose kidnapping-ransom plot was foiled by a Metro Police officer after a near collision, has been convicted of charges that will put him back into prison for a life sentence.

The jury in Chief District Judge Lee Gates' courtroom deliberated only an hour Thursday before convicting 24-year-old Allan Altergott of kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery and burglary charges. He will be sentenced April 1.

The burglary and robbery counts were the result of Altergott and two companions -- all wearing ski masks and gloves -- forcing their way into the victim's home last summer while she was bathing her children, ages 2 and 3.

The trio ransacked the home and when no money was found, the 25-year-old victim was sexually assaulted and threatened with having her hand blown off with a pistol if she didn't turn over a bracelet.

She talked Altergott into letting her call relatives for ransom money and afterward was forced into her car. Before any deal for ransom could be struck, the victim's car -- driven by Altergott -- ran through a red light and nearly hit a Metro patrol car.

When the officer stopped Altergott, the woman screamed that he had a gun and jumped out. The defendant was arrested without incident.

But the other two bandits escaped apprehension because they had chosen not to go along on the kidnapping-ransom trip.

archive