By Mary O’KEEFE

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. is investigating a home invasion that occurred on Dec. 31 between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the 800 block of Flintridge Avenue in La Cañada.

A resident of the home said he was sitting in an upstairs room watching television when he heard his wife scream. He didn’t think much about it at first, according to the LASD report. He thought she perhaps had seen a rodent, but before he could go downstairs to check on her, a man described as black and about 5’8” tall entered the room and pointed a handgun at him and told him to get down on the floor.

“The wife was confronted in the backyard by [a suspect] who then forced his way into the house,” said Sgt. Alan Chu, Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station.

The wife screamed and the suspect put his hand over her mouth and told her to be quiet. She then saw two other suspects enter her home. There were three suspects in total, all described as black males, wearing black ski masks, all dressed in black and wearing gloves.

One suspect demanded money from the husband. The homeowner told him where to find the money and the suspect took the funds, but insisted there was more. He reportedly called the husband a liar. The suspect continued to search the house.

During this time, a suspect stayed with the wife in the backyard and asked her who else was in the house. She told them her son and husband were upstairs. The suspect took the wife into the home and demanded money from her. She gave him the money from her husband’s wallet and her purse. The suspect told her to lie on the carpet and she was told not to move. He then tied her up.

The son heard his mother’s scream when suddenly the third suspect entered his room and escorted him out. He was taken into the hallway where he was restrained. The suspect asked him if he had any money; the son told him he did not.

The three family members listened as the suspects ransacked the house. When everything was silent, the family members worked themselves free from the restraints and called the sheriff’s station.

Cash, cellphones and a firearm were stolen from the home. The cellphones were found later and returned to the owners.

The incident has similarities to a home invasion that occurred on Dec. 12 in the 800 block of Inverness Drive. During this robbery the four suspects, all dressed in black clothing, forced open the back door of the home and entered. The suspects tied up the three female residents and ransacked the home.

No one was injured in either home invasions. Chu reminded the public to be aware of their surroundings, especially in their neighborhoods.

“Be alert to what is going on in the neighborhood,” he said. If there is a vehicle parked on the street that a resident is concerned about it is advised to call the CV Sheriff’s Station.

“Or just get the license plate number and call it in,” Chu added.

There have been times when deputies are called hours after a resident sees something suspicious. Chu reminds community members to call in immediately when they see something suspicious.

Anyone with information is asked to call the CV Sheriff’s Station at (818) 248-3464.

  Mary Okeefe