An elderly couple was found restrained with after armed robbers their home in a typically quiet Staten Island suburb over the weekend.
The two victims, a 65-year-old woman and a 69-year-old man, was found ziptied and with pillowcases over their heads at around 11:30pm at the vicinity of Woodrow Road and Vernon Avenue.
According to police reports, two masked men with guns rang the couple’s doorbell at around 4:30pm, and forced their way inside the home as soon as the couple answered the door.
It was then when the assailants held the victims at gun point, tied them up with zip ties and placed pillowcases over their heads.
The suspects demanded them to comply and threatened to be shot at if they fail to do so.
The couple helplessly laid on the ground as the two suspects ransacked their way through their two-story home.
The police reports that the assailants took around $1,500 in cash and two iPhones, while none of the jewelries were taken.
They were able to flee the scene before the authorities arrived.
The two victims were not hurt despite of the harrowing ordeal, and the police described both of their conditions as good.
The assailants were described as two white males standing around six-feet tall, wearing masks and an all-black clothing.
It is still unclear as to who made the 911 call, for how long were the suspects inside the home while the victims were restrained, and whether the couple were able to free themselves before the police arrived.
So far, no arrests have been made and the investigation is still in progress – surveillance camera footage in the area is being reviewed in an effort to unearth clues to identify the suspects.
One of the couple’s neighbor, who wishes her identity remain hidden, said that the ordeal made everyone “freaking out on the block.”
“It’s crazy, but it’s happening all over. I guess people are desperate. I tell my family, “Don’t answer the door unless you know the person.””