Police Search For Armed Men Wanted In Home Invasions In Old Bridge Township, N.J.
OLD BRIDGE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Police are searching for several armed men wanted in at least two home invasions this month.
The incidents occurred in the Oakwood and Country Place sections of Old Bridge Township.
One of the victims, who asked not to be identified, spoke to CBS 2's Christine Sloan on Tuesday. He said three masked suspects with guns broke into his house on Sunday, tied up his wife and son with duct tape and made him give up cash and jewelry.
Dennis Torres is the victim's neighbor.
"He got surprised by the people who were down there. They just beat him up and tied him up," Torres said.
The injuries on the man's were still visible Tuesday.
Six days earlier, the same thing happened to a family in another section of town. A father was attacked in front of his children.
Neighbors said the incident was traumatic.
"It was very disheartening because I think what they went through was just horror. I mean with two small children in the house, it was hard to watch," Cassandra McClane said.
Investigators said both home invasions are connected. In fact, one of the victims told Sloan she is so terrified, she is installing a home security system.
In both incidents the suspects made off with cash and electronics, Sloan reported.
"They entered via the back of the house, they broke their way in, they had handguns and they demanded the money. Once they got the money from everyone there and they had searched the house they then left," said Capt. Robert Weiss, Jr. of the Old Bridge Township Police Department.
One former police officer, whose house nearby was broken into two years ago, said criminals are targeting homeowners and becoming more violent.
"They're actually hitting homes when people are home ... They want that quick cash ... jewelry ... They are going to take you right upstairs," Bob Brown said.
"We are trying to stay protected so we are all communicating -- not just this block, but all the blocks together," McClane added.
Police said residents should not only band together but keep their lights and security systems on -- even when they are home.
"This part of Old Bridge is a residential area. It's a great neighborhood," Weiss told 1010 WINS. "It certainly is a surprise that this is happening here and we're aggressively working to try to solve it and make some arrests."
Police said the descriptions of the suspects are vague and that's why they are asking anyone with information to call Detectives Michael Machen at 732-721-5600, ext. 3210, Thomas Montagna at 732-721-5600, ext. 3202, or the Middlesex County Crime Stoppers line at 800-939-9600. Tips also can also be submitted at www.middlesextips.com or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES).
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