2nd Home Invasion By Police Impersonators In Less Than Week
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- There have been two violent home invasions in less than a week. Both happened in the middle of the night and police say both times the criminals pretended to be police.
Weijia Jiang spoke with one of the victims.
In the heart of Baltimore's Federal Hill police are investigating a frightening home invasion. They say a couple was sleeping when, just shy of 4 a.m. Friday, three men used crowbars to break into a house in the 1600 block of Elkins Lane. They claimed they were police officers.
"The scares the pants off of me," said neighbor, Joe Pizzi.
"I just went and bought a dead bolt that locks from both sides," said another neighbor.
WJZ spoke with the victim who says he's too shaken up to share his story on camera. He tells us he's still in shock and relieved he listened to his attackers, but can't stop thinking about what could have happened if he hadn't.
"I've lived here all my life; it's never been like this. It's sad," said a Federal Hill resident.
The attack is chillingly similar to one that happened on Sunday in Northeast Baltimore. Three men who were also impersonating police officers barged into a house, tied up a man and his wife, then shot the man.
"It's a tremendous violation of the public's trust. When a police officer knocks on your door, your immediate reaction is to comply and that's what concerns us the most," said Baltimore police spokesman, Anthony Guglielmi.
"It's just going to make it worse for real police," said Federal Hill resident, Brenda Gurry.
Investigators are working to see if the same people are behind the assaults. Back in Federal Hill, police say the suspects only ended up taking a cell phone. Residents say they were also robbed of peace of mind.
"I thought Federal Hill would be a safe place. It's not; you're not safe anywhere," said one resident.
Police say the victims were not seriously injured.
