A young mother and her two children were held captive inside their Pickering home by up to five masked men, Durham police said Tuesday.
The woman, 27, told police she had just returned home Sunday evening with her 14-month-old son at around 7 p.m. when she was approached by two men.
The woman alleged that the two men forced their way inside the home and located her eight-year-old son. The family was forced into the basement and made to kneel in a corner while the alleged bandits bound their hands and covered their faces, police said in a news release.
Police say the suspects threatened to kill the woman and her two sons and demanded to know where the family kept their jewels and money. The robbers got away with jewels, credit and debit cards and a home computer.
The woman told police that one of the suspects struck her across the face. The children were not physically injured.
Police say they don't believe the victims knew the suspects.
Authorities have a vague description of the men involved. They are described as black men who are between 20 and 30 years old.
Anyone with information is being asked to call the police major crime unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2506 or ext. 5361.
Anonymous tips can also be left with Crime Stoppers at 1-888-222-TIPS.
