2 men to stand trial in Mormon missionary robbery

Las Vegas • Two men accused of posing as Mormon missionaries and saying they wanted to talk about religion before pistol-whipping and robbing a Las Vegas man in his home have been ordered to stand trial.

Las Vegas Township Judge Janiece Marshall ruled Friday there was sufficient evidence to try Robert Estall, 25, and Abraham Austin Jr., 28, in Clark County District Court.

The men are accused of dressing as Mormon missionaries and knocking on Terence Delucia's door on June 27 before muscling their way into the home and committing the robbery. They're charged with robbery, kidnapping, battery and burglary.

Delucia testified at a preliminary hearing this week that he answered his front door at 6:15 a.m. and found two men who looked like Mormon missionaries in white dress shirts and black ties.

After he told them he did not want to discuss religion, he said, the men pulled guns, beat him and asked for his money.

The men made off with about $3,000 in cash and an ounce of marijuana as Delucia's wife and daughter hid in other rooms.

Delucia said he also was robbed last year at gunpoint by three men who stole $30,000 in cash and two ounces of marijuana.

Delucia testified he shouted, "This is happening again, we are being robbed," to his wife once he realized he was under attack.

"I told you we should have moved. We have to move," his wife, Ida Delucia, can be heard telling her husband on a 911 call she made and that was played in court.

Terence Delucia testified he no longer uses marijuana and did not sell it.

He also said the family plans to move to Montana to be closer to his wife's family.

Defense attorneys called no witnesses during the preliminary hearing, which ended Friday.

The men are scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 24 in district court.