An elderly couple in their late seventies were assaulted during a violent burglary on Thursday evening in Ashburton, Croydon.
Three callous thieves broke into the victims’ Shirley Park Road home through a kitchen window at around 9pm.
They punched the man in the face, and forced his wife upstairs, where they held a cloth over her mouth to stop her from screaming.
The robbers then searched the house and stole several thousand pounds worth of Asian gold and jewellery, cash and their mobile phones.
Detective Constable Emma Crowley, who is investigating the case, said: “This has understandably left the victims extremely shaken up and we’re determined to try and identify who is responsible.
The couple called their son after the thugs had left, who then called the police.
Two of the suspects are described as white men, with the third described as mixed race.
DC Crowley, from Croydon’s burglary squad, said: “I’d urge anyone who might have seen or heard anything unusual or suspicious in the area to get in touch with us, however insignificant you think the information may be – it could help us to solve this case.”
Anyone with information is asked to call DC Crowley at Croydon CID via 101 or contact Crimestoppers, which is anonymous on 0800 555 111.
Picture courtesy of Ray Forster, with thanks.
