Stunning Home Invasion Robbery Shocks Hempstead
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - Police are investigating a brutal home invasion robbery that took place Sunday night in Hempstead.
Police say the whole thing went down on Grove Street, and that the masked gunmen were looking for a specific person, and for drugs.
Apparently a 22-year-old was visiting his mother, 47, who lives there. A 44-year-old woman was also present. Their names are being withheld.
Then came a late-night knock at the door.
The man answered and was greeted by a 6'3" man, weighing about 250 pounds, who was flashing a handgun. The gunman was with two other men, around 5'10"-5'11", about 17o pounds each - both of them were wielding knives, police say. All three suspects are described as being African-American.
The trio of bandits shoved their way into the apartment, police say.
All three victims had their cell phones and money stolen. Det. Lt. Raymond Cote of the Nassau County Police Department told CBS2's Kathryn Brown that two of the group grabbed the 44-year-old woman, dragged her into the bathroom, and sexually assaulted her.
"(They) forced (her) into a bathroom where its alleged that she was sexually assaulted by two of the men simultaneously, a significant assault," he said.
The 22-year-old was then taken downstairs to another apartment, occupied by two 50-year-old women. One of the robbers kicked down the door and told all of them to lie down on the floor. As they were being tied up, one of the 50-year-old occupants started to have a seizure.
Once again, their cash and cell phones were taken.
Meanwhile, upstairs, the 47-year-old woman managed to escape, and jumped out a window. She ran to a neighbor and called the cops.
When the bandits realized that not all of their victims were in the house, they took off, jumping into a black four door vehicle parked outside.
All of the victims were taked to an area hospital for treatment. None of their injuries is considered life-threatening.
Anyone with information regarding the crime is urged to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All calls are kept anonymous.
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