It was a terrifying night for two women in Kew Gardens after five people burst into a home, tied them up with duct tape, and then swiped more than $1 million worth of luxury items and other possessions. NBC New York’s Charles Watson reports.
A group of thieves forced their way into a Queens home, tied up two women and stole more than $1 million worth of jewelry, clothing and other items during a frightening home invasion and robbery, according to police.
Five suspects entered the victims' Kew Gardens home, near Mayfair Road and 116th Street, around 5:30 p.m. on March 19, the NYPD says. Security video showed the ambush on the nanny as she was returning from taking out the trash.
They stormed into the home and pushed the 53-year-old woman to the ground, police said. They bound her and the homeowner, a 36-year-old mother, with tape. The mother said her 6-year-old child was awake to witness the terrifying ordeal as her two young sons slept.
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WATCH HERE"First they locked me in a closet. And then I heard my daughter screaming because they had her in another room, so I like banged on the closet. They let me out and thankfully they let me be with her the entire time in her room," said the victim, who did not wish to be identified.
For nearly an hour, the masked intruders gathered up all the loot they could — worth an estimated $1,105,000, according to police. That included several high-end Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Berken bags, along with paintings and even the woman's wedding band.
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SIGN UP The suspects then fled the scene in a getaway vehicle driven by a sixth suspect. Police say it was a white 2021 Toyota Rav4.
The homeowner and the nanny were able to cut each other free and call police after the thieves got away. The mother said the suspects not only got away with the family's valuables, but also their sense of security.
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"My daughter is having trouble sleeping so I don’t know how to address that with her," she said.
No injuries were reported.
Police released surveillance footage of the suspects. Anyone with information or who may recognize the masked intruders is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
