Armed men still on loose after terrifying home invasion

Police are still hunting three armed men who stole more than $50,000 from a Hutt Valley couple on Sunday. File photo / NZ Herald

Three armed men are still on the loose tonight after robbing a Hutt Valley couple of more than $50,000 on Sunday night.

Malcolm Wiffen, 67, and his wife Yvonne, 65, were kicked and had rifles pushed into their heads by balaclava-wearing robbers demanding to know where their safe was, as they ransacked the couple's upmarket Chatsworth Road, Silverstream, home.

The couple, who were not injured, were forced to open the safe and the armed men fled after taking more than $50,000 - in $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes - and gold jewellery.

Today police continued a scene examination, while a number of staff followed other leads. They said DNA left at the scene could help them track down the offenders.

Police spokeswoman Victoria Davis said calls had been coming in from the public, but more information was needed, particularly from people who had been in Chatsworth Road between 5.30pm and 6.30pm, and in the wider Silverstream area.

Police were still unsure how the three got to and from the house and wanted any information on a vehicle that may have been used, Ms Davis said.

Mr and Mrs Wiffen were left hooded and tied up during the home invasion.

The couple's daughter, Carissa Wiffen, said her mother was in the kitchen when she realised someone was pointing a rifle at her.

Mr Wiffen, watching the start of the 6pm news in the next room, heard her shriek and rushed in but someone then came up behind him.

The couple were pushed to the floor of their lounge and trussed with cables; a pillowcase was put over Mrs Wiffen's head while Mr Wiffen's face was covered with a blanket. They were on the floor for about 20 minutes as their assailants set about turning their bedroom and office upside down.

Occasionally they were questioned where their safe was and how it opened, and if they responded slowly they were kicked or had a rifle pushed against their heads or necks, Ms Wiffen said.

Police believe the Wiffens were deliberately targeted.

Upper Hutt area commander Inspector Mike Hill said the three men were likely to have known the Wiffens through the commercial cleaning business they have run for more than 20 years.

Mr Hill said the couple, despite being very shaken, had managed to provide police with very valuable information.

Police had also received some good information from the public, but more was needed to help identify the offenders, he said.

"Anyone who has heard any chatter - or who was involved on the periphery of this crime - it would be in their best interest to get in touch now before we come and find them," Mr Hill said.

The three offenders were described as either Maori, Polynesian or African, of athletic build and all were wearing dark coloured clothing with their faces concealed by balaclavas. One offender was around 1.57m, a second a full head and shoulders taller than that, and the third was about 1.83m.

- NZPA