Sunday, March 30, 2008

Victims Recount Terrifying Queens Home Invasion by Scott Weinberger - wcbstv.com

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Shaken Woman Says She Was Told, 'If You Don't Cooperate, I'm Going To Kill You'

NYPD Investigating Possible Links To 2 Other Violent Robberies



NEW YORK (CBS) ― Two Queens communities are living in fear after three violent crimes following a terrifying attack on a family in their home.

On Friday, police in Forest Hills and Ozone Park were searching for two masked gunmen who are considered dangerous.

Still shaken and too afraid to show her face, a Queens mother described to CBS 2 HD how she and four others were bound and gagged by two armed men who stormed into their home, looking for cash.

The woman said she was told, "If you don't cooperate, I'm going to kill you."

It was just after 3 p.m. Thursday afternoon what the men, both wearing masks, grabbed the mother of three as she stepped out of an elevator.

"(They) put the gun to my head, they taped my mouth up twice and they brought me to the apartment," the woman said.

Just on the other side of the door was the victim's sister.

"When the door opened up I noticed my sister standing there with duct tape around her mouth and head, and a gun pointed towards her head," the sister said.

The seconds felt like hours as both women were forced into a back bedroom.

"Get on the floor. Get on the floor. Get on your stomach. Put your hands behind you back," were the orders the woman said she and her sister received from the gunmen.

Then, the assailants forced the two other family members into the back bedroom.

"They said, 'Do not look at me. Do not turn your head.' I just kind of closed my eyes and started praying to God," the sister said.

One of the gunmen then said, "Shut up, shut up. If you keep making any noise I'm going to shoot you."

As one of the suspects searched the apartment for money and jewelry a knock came on the door, and, unluckily, a furniture delivery man became the fifth victim.

After 15 harrowing minutes, the suspects fled.

Police believe the same two suspects began that crime spree over the weekend, also here on 62nd Drive, which is the location of Thursday night's home invasion. In the earlier crime sources say the two suspects approached people as they were exiting their vehicle, forced them at gunpoint into the lobby of a building and robbed them.

Sources say a similar street robbery occurred late Thursday night in Ozone Park. The suspect had the same description. Now police want to know if all three are linked.

Police say the gunmen were able to get away with money and jewelry during Thursday's home invasion. It's unclear what was taken in the other two incidents.