The Gaston Police Department continues to investigate a Friday night home invasion in which the homeowner was beaten before escaping.

He was taken to an undisclosed hospital where he is being treated and will undergo surgery for head trauma Friday.

The burglary took place shortly before 10 p.m. on Ashe Street when the victim heard a knock on the door. Thinking it was a friend, he opened the door and three suspects ,who are believed to be black males, barged in, according to Detective Sergeant W.T. Smith.

The three men assaulted the victim and brought his wife to the living room area, demanding she give them a gun in the house as well as cash.

As the woman complied with the demands and gave them $800 in cash, the suspects threatened to kill the victim, who managed to flee by jumping out of a rear window.

The suspects then fled the scene with the cash.

Smith said the victim sustained serious head injuries from the pistol whipping but is reported to be in stable condition and in good spirits.

It is not known whether the suspects knew the victim or whether the suspects were people the victim had dealt with in the past, Smith said.

One of the suspects wore a blue bandanna over his face while the other two wore ski masks. One wore a rain suit while the other two wore hooded sweatshirts. They all wore gloves.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police department at 252-537-1047 or 252-537-1046.