They say the 26-year-old robbed a bank manager's stepson and then tried to make a withdrawal on his account at the bank.
By RICHARD RAEKE
Published December 3, 2003
NEW PORT RICHEY - If prosecutors are right, Peter Doucette might be one of the most hapless criminals in Pasco County. To start with, he is charged with stealing the safe and $34,000 worth of jewelry and electronic equipment from Pasco County Judge Marc Salton's home on April 7, 2001.
But first he is standing trial before Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Michael Andrews in connection with a home invasion and kidnapping.
Prosecutors say Doucette, 26, and his alleged co-conspirators Steven M. Kenneman and David W. Nicholson, broke into Jesse Hogan's home on Ivory Terrace in New Port Richey in the early hours of March 19, 2001.
They bound Hogan and two women with wire and then robbed them, stealing $2,500 worth of items, authorities said. Doucette also stole Hogan's bank account information. Later that day, he tried to make a withdrawal from Hogan's account at Republic Bank in New Port Richey.
The only problem? The victim's stepmother is the bank's branch manager.
When Mary Hogan was told by the tellers that a man identifying himself at Jesse Hogan was trying to make a withdrawal at the driveup window, she went outside and wrote down the license plate number.
Mary Hogan testified Tuesday that she then decided to approach the driver. When she asked Doucette who he was, he said he was Jesse Hogan.
"No you're not," Mary Hogan replied.
Doucette again said he was Jesse Hogan.
At which point, Mary Hogan said, she tried to reach in the car and take her stepson's papers. Doucette stepped on the gas and sped off.
Doucette, Nicholson and Kenneman were charged with the home invasion on April 9, 2001. Investigators said they then tied Doucette and Nicholson to the burglary at Salton's home.
