Police: Kids, 6 And 8, Tied Up Along With Grandparents During Bronx Home Invasion Gunpoint Robbery
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are searching for a man posing as a UPS worker and his accomplice who broke into an apartment, tied up the family and robbed them.
CBS2's Natalie Duddridge spoke to the grandfather, who doesn't speak English, outside, where the building's superintendent translated for him.
"They took everything. They took everything for Christmas," the grandfather said, as translated by superintendent Raul Ortiz.
The grandfather was at home with his grandkids when they were burglarized at gunpoint.
"It's home invasion -- worse than robbery. Tie you up and everything," Ortiz said.
Surveillance video shows a man with the letters "UPS" on his hat carrying a box. He opened the box to reveal a silver revolver and then pushed his way into the apartment.
"They came in here, rushed on my parents acting like UPS workers. Tied them up, took a couple stuff from here," the victim's son told Duddridge.
Their grown son wasn't at home at the time and didn't want to appear on camera, but said the robbery happened Sunday around 5 p.m. at a building on Billingsley Terrace in Morris Heights.
Police say the two suspects used twist ties to restrain a 60-year-old grandmother, 63-year-old grandfather and their two grandkids, a 6-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy.
"They're scared. They're still scared," the son told Duddridge. "They took the kids' phones and tablets... took cash they found around the house."
Police say the suspects got into a safe and the children's piggy bank, stealing $7,500 in cash they family told Duddridge they were saving to move.
Duddridge met the grandfather outside, who doesn't speak English. The building's superintendent translated for him.
Surveillance video shows the two suspects carrying suitcases filled with stuff down the stairs.
Police are warning residents to not open the door if they're not expecting a package or if they don't recognize their regular delivery person, or if something feels off. Tell them to leave the box outside the door.
"I hope they catch him," Ortiz said. "These people, they're nice people. They don't bother nobody."
Police are asking for the public's help identifying the suspects. The fake delivery man was wearing a brown hat, mask and jacket. His accomplice was wearing a black face mask and black sweatshirt.
Anyone with information about them 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.
