Homeowner Doug Downs points to a bullet hole in a screen door at his Chanceford Twp. home. He and his roommate survived a home invasion by armed robbers on Oct. 23, 2012. Downs repeatedly shot one of the robbers. (Bill Kalina)

When Doug Downs repeatedly shot two masked gun-wielding robbers who'd burst into his Chanceford Township home a week ago, one seemed unaffected by the bullets and the other didn't fall until he was shot in the neck, according to the victim.

The day after the Oct. 23 home invasion, Downs told The York Dispatch he suspected the robbers had been wearing bulletproof vests.

Court documents filed by state police over the weekend reveal his suspicions were on target.

In Springfield Township on Friday, state police found two blood-soaked bulletproof vests in a shed on the 116 Park St. property of one of the four men charged in the home-invasion robbery.

That's according to charging documents filed by state police Trooper Jonathan

Roommates Andy Boyd, left, and Doug Downs with their dog Peaches at their Chanceford Twp. home on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012. They survived a home invasion, and Downs shot one of the gunmen while the man was distracted by Peaches. Downs holds a .32-caliber pistol, which is one of about a dozen kept in their home. (Bill Kalina)

Herlth, 20, of 14 High St. in Felton, was one of the two alleged robbers Downs fired .380-caliber and .32-caliber bullets at, according to state police. He was shot by Downs in the neck, chest and hands, police said.

He also was shot in the arm when co-defendant Robert Dale Young fired a 12-gauge shotgun at Downs' door, documents state.

Arrested: On Sunday evening, Herlth was discharged from York Hospital. He was immediately arrested by troopers and taken to the county's central booking unit, where he was arraigned on charges of robbery, burglary, receiving stolen property, possessing instruments of crime, making terroristic threats, unlawful restraint, simple assault and reckless endangerment.

Herlth was taken to York County Prison but was released the next morning after posting his $50,000 bail, a prison official said.

Co-defendants: Two of his three co-defendants remain in prison -- Chad Heath Miller and Jacob David Dittenhafer.

Miller, 33, also of 14 High St. in Felton, is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary and related charges. His bail is $200,000.

Dittenhafer, 24, of 116 Park St. in Springfield Township, is charged

Chad Heath Miller

Young, 26, of 1963 Adair Road in Lower Windsor Township, is free on $100,000 bail. He's charged with robbery, burglary, reckless endangerment and other offenses.

The search: The Friday search of the Park Street property where Dittenhafer lives also yielded a black pistol, according to Herlth's charging documents.

It's unclear who owns the gun because its serial number was apparently obliterated, police said.

Police also searched the property on Oct. 23 and seized a 12-gauge shotgun with blood on it, charging documents state.

Dittenhafer and Young confessed to investigators, police said. They recounted that Miller told them Downs and roommate Andy Boyd

Robert Dale Young

What happened: According to police, Miller and Herlth shot the lock on the door of Downs' home in the 3700 block of Brownton Road about 12:40 a.m. Oct. 23 and barged in.

Miller forced Boyd into the split-level home's lower level -- where Downs keeps his safe -- while Herlth held Downs at gunpoint upstairs, police said.

Downs struggled with Herlth, but stopped when Herlth threatened to shoot him, police said.

Canine assist: Then the victims' mixed pug/Jack Russell terrier, Peaches, started barking at Herlth and jumping on him, distracting his attention, Downs said.

"He looked down at her, and that's how I was able to grab

Jacob Dittenhafer

He said he shot Herlth three times in the chest, but the man merely took a step back.

"I thought he must be wearing a bulletproof vest," Downs said. "So I aimed for his head. ... He staggered over to the stairway, his pistol dropped out of his hand and he ... slid down the stairs."

Miller came upstairs when he heard the gunfire, according to police.

More gunfire: Downs said he fired at Miller as the gunman was coming up the stairs, "but he didn't drop either."

Miller yelled for Young, who'd been waiting outside, and the two men carried Herlth to their getaway vehicle, documents state. Dittenhafer had stayed in the vehicle, police said.

At some point, Young fired the shotgun, hitting Herlth again, police said.

Miller and Young then dragged the wounded Herlth to their getaway vehicle and took off, police said. Investigators tracked down Herlth at York Hospital.

-- Staff writer Liz Evans Scolforo can also be reached at levans@yorkdispatch.com.