Dramatic video shows home invasion in progress in Lawncrest
LAWNCREST (WPVI) -- Dramatic home surveillance video obtained by Action News shows a frightening home invasion as it unfolded in the Lawncrest section of Philadelphia.
It happened at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday.
The footage shows the woman who lives in the home - she asked not to be identified - sitting on her couch while her son and niece played across the street.
A man bursts through the unlocked front door.
"He told me to be quiet," the victim told Action News. "And then he pulled the gun out, and I started to scream and yell for my husband."
The woman's 46-year-old husband, who is legally blind, had been in the kitchen of the home on the 1300 block of Hellerman Street.
The woman says the couple purchased a handgun after receiving too many alerts about area home invasions.
"My husband had it on the dining room table," she said. "He went to reach for the gun, and by the time he went to reach for our gun, (the burglar) had a gun up to his neck. And he was telling us if we don't shut up and be quiet then he will shoot both of us."
She described how the suspect took their gun and went through her husband's pockets for money.
The video then shows a second man with a hood pulled tight around his face walking into the home.
The woman said she thinks he was acting as lookout. The couple was terrified.
"I was just saying to myself, 'Oh my God! I hope he doesn't shoot my husband or me,'" she said. "That's why I told my husband, 'Don't shoot!' because my husband's getting ready to shoot him. And I'm like, 'No, no, no!' Didn't want anything to happen to him."
The suspects fled with the gun and $275 cash. Neither the woman nor her husband were hurt.
"I really hope they catch them," said the woman. "You preyed on a man who couldn't see to defend his family, and that's just not right."
Police say the suspects fled in a black Jeep heading eastbound on Hellerman.
One suspect is described as a black male wearing a white knit cap, a tan button-up, wool jacket, jeans and sneakers.
The second suspect is described as a black male wearing a black hoodie, black pants and tan boots.
Anyone with information about the suspects or the case is asked to contact Philadelphia Police Northeast Detectives at (215) 686-3153.
