Police Catch 3 Alleged Suspects During Violent Home Invasion Robbery In Long Beach
LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Police have reportedly captured three home invasion robbery suspects they said hit and tied up their victims.
Authorities credit a quick-thinking neighbor who called 911 after he suspected trouble.
CBS2's Joy Benedict spoke to the neighbor who didn't want his name used or his face shown.
"My dog was crazy barking," said the victims' neighbor.
It was an alarm that woke up one family and likely saved another.
"The window screens are popped off, there's no cars in the street and we're hearing voices so there's something strange going on." he added.
The neighbor told Benedict he didn't entirely know what was going on but knew something wasn't quite right.
"I told them I believe my neighbors house was being broken in to," he said.
When police arrived, they encountered an armed robbery and home invasion in progress. Several of the victims were tied up inside.
"I just think its terrible," the neighbor said.
Police said the incident happened just before 4 a.m. Saturday.
They said three men broke in through a window.
Inside the home, a group of young roommates -- four adults and a baby. One of the victims, who also didn't want to appear on camera, says he was subdued and bound with zip ties and hit in the back of the head with a gun.
The roommate was able to free himself and he climbed out a second floor window to find police pulling up.
As soon as police realized what was going on they called SWAT. Eventually, all three men who allegedly broke in were arrested without incident.
"I'd say anyone brazen enough to invade someone's home? take them off the street," said the quick-thinking neighbor.
The young man who was allegedly hit by the gun was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
No one was physically injured beyond that, police said.
Authorities also could not say if the home was targeted or if the robbery was random.
But the residents who live here are just thankful their neighbor called for help. Without that call, the incident could have ended much differently.
"I just hope they are okay," the neighbor said.