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Three men have been indicted in connection with a violent home-invasion robbery in Penns Grove, according to court documents. They are, from left, Vasir J. Gary, Thomas F. Jones Jr. and Michael Yates. (Salem County Correctional Facility)

SALEM -- Three men have been indicted for their alleged roles in a violent South Jersey home-invasion robbery where three people were pistol-whipped, according to court records.

Vasir J. Gary, 20, of Swedesboro, Thomas F. Jones Jr., 28, of Bear, Del., and Michael Yates, 28, of Secane, Pa., all took part in the incident at a Penns Grove apartment complex on the night of Dec. 13, authorities said.

The trio is alleged to have been part of a group of four armed men who entered an apartment at complex through an unlocked door, police said at the time.

Once inside, they pistol-whipped two men and a woman inside and took $2,300 in cash and cell phones before fleeing.

One man and a woman needed hospital treatment for injuries to their faces. The other man refused treatment.

The nine-count indictment naming the three was handed up by a Salem County grand jury last week.

Gary, Jones and Yates were each indicted on three counts of third-degree aggravated assault first-degree robbery, second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, third-degree theft and second-degree burglary, according to court documents.

The weapons allegedly carried by the robbers were handguns and possibly one sawed-off shotgun, police said.

After the robbery, the intruders fled. Police, including a K-9 unit, were unable to immediately locate them, but Yates was soon arrested followed by Gary and Jones.

At the time of the incident, police said the fourth man involved had his face covered. They also believe a fifth man was involved in planning the robbery. Their arrests have not yet been reported by police.

Police have not said whether the victims knew their assailants or how the specific apartment was targeted.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.