Police: 2 Hurt In Violent Armed Home Invasion In Bay Shore
BAY SHORE, N.Y.(CBSNewYork) -- Police said two people were hurt in a violent armed home invasion on Long Island.
It happened around 9:30 p.m. Thursday at a home on Woodbine Avenue in Bay Shore.
Police said a 35-year-old woman was returning home with her 20-year-old friend when they were followed into the house by two men armed with a gun.
The men restrained the women as well as the homeowner's 35-year-old boyfriend and 12-year-old son with zip ties, police said. They then spent the next three hours ransacking the home before taking cash from the homeowner's purse, police said.
The suspects took off in the homeowner's car, police said. It was found on 3rd Avenue in Bay Shore early Friday morning.
The homeowner and her boyfriend both received facial injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment. The two others were not hurt. Police said one shot was fired inside the house, but nobody was hit.
"It's scary because it could have been us," said neighbor Daniella Contreres.
But authorities said they believe the homeowner was targeted, CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported.
"Because of previous criminal incidents at this house we believe it was targeted and there should be no general panic about a random incident," Det. Lt. Michael Crowely, Suffolk County Police said.
Neighbors said they've noticed a flow of visitors to the house, which recently changed hands, CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported.
"It was always cars coming in and out of the block, which is weird because we have families living here on the block that we know. I can recognize everyone's car on the block, so when I see unknown cars speeding in and out of the block, it's a little weird," said Contreres.
One of the victims told 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera it was a horrible experience.
"It was really scary...They tied me up," she said, telling Rivera the suspects, who she did not recognize, were armed with two guns.
The father of the 12-year-old victim arrived at the home Friday morning to take him away.
"I thank God nobody was killed. That could have turned into a very bad situation right there. You don't know what people are capable of these days," Jay Santiago said.
One neighbor said he didn't hear anything.
"I'm kind of surprised," he told CBS2's Janelle Burrell. "Nothing like this ever really happens."
"This is the first time that this happened. This is a very quiet area. This is a very quiet area," another neighbor told WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs. "Nice people, we always say hello."
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Suffolk County Third Squad at 631-854-8352 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.