Terrified family recounts moments armed intruders break into their home
Terrified NJ family describe moments armed intruders invade their home
A Mercer County family says they're being targeted but they don't understand why after a second home break-in by armed intruders.
EAST WINDSOR, N.J. - A terrified family hid inside their Mercer County home as armed intruders broke in through the front door with a crowbar. Police in East Windsor Township say the intruders are still out there.
What we know:
The East Windsor Police Department said three masked suspects arrived at a home around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday.
One of the suspects was armed with a crowbar, according to police, and the trio first tried to break into the home's front windows.
Security footage shows the suspects dressed in black outside the home before police say they broke in through the front door.
Once inside, police say they located a car key but they "were unsuccessful in stealing it."
The suspects quickly fled the home before police arrived.
What they're saying:
The terrifying sound of someone literally breaking into a home can be heard. Video from the victim's home security cameras shows three people forcing their way into the house in East Windsor. The sound of the security alarm is heard. Then one of them rips out one of the cameras. They break two windows apart. Eventually they get inside through the front door using what police say is a crowbar. The family who we are not identifying was asleep before the alarm woke them.
"Traumatized and extremely scared. Why? Because the question keeps on coming. "Why are we not safe?" said the wife.
They hid while dialing 911.
"I chose this neighborhood thinking that we're safe here, my family is safe here and the whole experience has been so traumatizing. I’m scared for my family. The whole neighborhood," she said.
The family says they were broken into a year ago which is why they got an extensive security system. They say that time the burglars stole things including a luxury car. This time they took a set of car keys but couldn't get the car from the garage because it was blocked by other vehicles in the driveway.
"First thing foremost is the safety of the family. Everything else is materialistic and that can be replaced. One thing that can be is your life. Your family's life," said the husband.
What we don't know:
Investigators have not speculated why the suspects targeted the home.
It's also unknown what prevented the suspects from stealing the homeowner's car.
The family is grateful for the 911 operators and police who they say were there in a matter of minutes. They hope the community can band together to help prevent this from happening to them again and to anyone else.
"There should be some kind of community watch," said the husband.
What you can do:
Anyone with information about the suspects is encouraged to contact police immediately. Contact Detective Sergeant Joseph Carabelli at carabelli@ewpd.com or 609-448-5678 ext. 233.