Monday, Aug. 18, 2008

Police seek three in home invasion

A couple and children were in the house when robbers broke in.

By VICTOR A. PATTON
vpatton@mercedsun-star.com

LIVINGSTON -- A married couple and their children were physically unharmed on Friday after two men entered their home on the 600 block of Briarwood Drive and held them at gunpoint, Livingston police reported.

Detective John Ramirez said police are keeping some aspects of the home invasion under wraps in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.

Police responded to the scene shortly after 9:15 p.m. after one the victims called 911, Ramirez said.

The couple, who are in their late 30s or early 40s, reported that two men entered the front door of the house, Ramirez said. Armed with handguns, the robbers demanded money from the woman and man.

The couple has five or six children, who range in age from 10 months to 13 years old. Ramirez said one of the children was in the room when the incident took place.

The man and woman both told the suspects that there was no money in the home. The robbers left not long afterward, fleeing the scene in what the couple described only as a dark-colored car, Ramirez said.

The robbers are described as Hispanic males in the early 30s.

Police said the first robber is between 5-feet-5-inches and 5-feet-8-inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds with a slender build.

The second robber is about six feet tall and weighs between 250 and 260 pounds. Both suspects spoke Spanish to the victims, who are also Spanish-speaking.

Police don't believe the victims knew the robbers, Ramirez said.

Police did not provide a description for a third man, who they say participated in the crime as a getaway driver, Ramirez said.

The crime is not believed to be related to a home invasion that happened last month off East Avenue in Livingston, Ramirez said.

Livingston police are asking anyone with information about this crime or the robbers to call (209) 394-7916.

Reporter Victor A. Patton

can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.