PITTSBURGH — A 74-year-old man is in jail after a Pittsburgh couple thwarted his alleged attempt to rob them with a plastic gun.

Pittsburgh Police Sgt. Kevin Gasiorowski said Charles Palmer was charged with robbery, burglary and other related counts in connection with Tuesday's incident.

Fifty-nine-year-old Bill Wettengel said he was taking out the trash in when a man in a mask forced him and his wife into an upstairs bedroom, demanding cash.

Wettengel's wife, 46-year-old Tina, said she was about to hand over the money when she noticed the gun looked fake. She said she mouthed the information to her husband who jumped up and punched Palmer in the face. She said she called 911 while the pair were struggling.

ALTOONA — An Altoona man who went to buy cigarettes in a gorilla suit to win a bet with his girlfriend is now being accused of receiving stolen property.Altoona police said they noticed 20-year-old Brian Hoover walking just after midnight on Wednesday dressed as an ape. Police said when they stopped Hoover, they discovered he was wanted.