Home Invasion Robbers Terrorize Valley Couple, Leave With 500K In Jewelry: Police

WOODLAND HILLS, CA — A crew of armed robbers that terrorized a San Fernando Valley couple in a home-invasion break-in late Tuesday night remain at large and police are investigating whether the suspects are connected to another Valley break-in.

Officers responded at around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday to reports of an armed robbery in the 22700 block of Erwin Street, between Fallbrook and Sale avenues in Woodland Hills, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The suspects, three men armed with guns, entered through the backyard. One of the men climbed through a window and then opened a door to let the others inside, KTLA reported.

One of the suspects went into an office where the husband was working and forced him to open a safe. Another entered a bedroom where the wife was sleeping, forced her out of bed and stuffed a shirt in her mouth, according to the report.

The intruders fled with about $15,000 in cash and $500,000 in jewelry, KTLA reported.

The suspects were described as three men wearing dark clothing, masks and gloves. They fled in a dark-colored vehicle, police said.

A second break-in was reported early Wednesday on the 3400 block of Valley Meadow Road about 12 miles away in Sherman Oaks, according to police. In that case, the suspects entered through a bedroom window but fled after tripping an alarm, police said.

Police are investigating whether the two incidents are connected.

City News Service contributed to this report.