Masked gunmen shoot victim during New York City home invasion while trying to steal Range Rover
NEW YORK - Police are searching for a group of masked robbers who they said shot a man during a home invasion in Flushing, Queens early Wednesday.
Video shows hooded suspects trying to break into a home on 62nd Avenue, first smashing the surveillance camera.
Police said Wednesday morning at 5:30 a.m., at least six armed, masked men forced their way into the basement where residents, including a child, were sleeping.
"A gun to my head. Told me to keep quiet," one tenant said. "He said 'You have kids, I don't want to hurt you.'"
The residents didn't want to share their names. They said the burglars demanded the keys to the Range Rovers out front, but told them it wasn't theirs.
"I think they just see the car is pretty expensive. They think 'rich,' they should get some valuable things in the house," one of the tenants said.
Police sources said the suspects searched the basement, took $800 and an iPad and then went upstairs.
"I was in the bedroom to call police," a woman said.
She said she lives upstairs with her boyfriend. She said she has no reason to believe they would be targeted, other than to steal their Range Rrover.
"Our car. We always park over here, and we're close to the highway. Easy to escape," she said.
Their friend, a 31-year-old resident who also lives upstairs, confronted the suspects and tried to push them out. Police said that's when one of them shot him in the chest and arm. Police said he was rushed to Booth Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
"He just tried to protect our home. It's really bad," she said.
Authorities haven't given a description of the suspects, and no one is in custody.
The tenants said the group acted like professional thieves, including cutting their internet connection. But they said after the robbery was over, they gave them back their cell phones.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.