Family zip-tied in armed home invasion

WHITESTONE, NY – A quiet morning in Whitestone, Queens, turned into a terrifying ordeal for a local family when two armed men invaded their home, leaving the neighborhood on edge. The brazen attack occurred on 12th Avenue as the family was preparing for their day, with the intruders using zip ties and duct tape to subdue the parents and their children before looting the residence.

The NYPD has launched a manhunt for the suspects, who remain at large. The victims, still reeling from the traumatic event, have chosen to remain anonymous, too frightened to speak publicly about the incident. Neighbors were visibly shaken as police cordoned off the area with crime scene tape, collecting evidence from the once peaceful street.

“It’s more than just the money; it’s the loss of security,” said a neighbor, reflecting the collective sentiment of the community. The robbers reportedly forced their way into the home, displaying firearms to intimidate the family into compliance. They then proceeded to ransack the property, making off with $15,000 in cash and valuable jewelry.

John Nardone, a nearby resident, was on his way to work when he witnessed one of the victims fleeing the house with remnants of duct tape still attached. “I knew I had to help,” Nardone recounted, describing how he immediately called 911. Police arrived swiftly, but the suspects had already made their escape, stealing the family’s car, which was later found abandoned less than a mile from the scene.

The police have not yet determined whether the crime was premeditated or if the family was targeted at random. The incident has left neighbors on high alert, particularly given the proximity of a school directly across the street from the home. “As a mother, this is terrifying,” one resident shared, echoing the concerns of many in the community.

Despite the swift police response, no arrests have been made, and the investigation continues.