Four family members on Bramblebrook Road in Ardsley were at home when armed robbers gained entrance through a back sliding door Monday night and threatened the family at gunpoint for money, police said.
In an impromptu press conference Tuesday morning—with around 15 to 20 reporters—Ardsley Police Chief Emil Califano confirmed that a father and his three children: aged 15, 10—the only girl— and 8 were eating dinner when four, possibly five, home invaders broke in immediately showing a handgun. Police know that at least one of the suspects is white, though they were covered in dark hoodies.
In an effort to protect his children, the father was whacked in the back of the head with the gun. He sustained minor injuries, and was taken to in Dobbs Ferry for treatment.
The father and older son were then tied up with duct tape, including their mouths, while the suspects allegedly stole $10,000.
The younger son and daughter were sent to a guest bedroom, where they hid under the covers.
The teenage son, who had a cellular phone in his back pocket, was able to wiggle it free, and—through the duct tape over his mouth—call 911 and deliver a garbled explanation of the circumstances.
Police believe that the suspects knew that there was money in the house because the man owns a plumbing and air conditioning business operated out of New York City.
"We believe this was a targeted—and not random—attack," Califano said.
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Police are still investigating how the suspects knew about the money; they cannot say at this point whether they were at all involved with the man's business.
"That's a major part of the investigation."
The 10-year-old girl sustained minor scratches on her neck. She was not taken for treatment.
Another woman, a houseguest, was also in the house, but below in the basement. She reported hearing a minor scuffle, but didn't think anything to this extent was going on.
Ardsley police were aided by Greenburgh Police, Dobbs Ferry Police and Westchester County Police.
We'll keep you updated as the investigation continues.
