KEY POINTS:
Three people were blindfolded and tied up and a baby was left temporarily abandoned after a terrifying aggravated burglary in Pyes Pa yesterday.
The offenders are still on the loose and police are warning they are armed and dangerous.
Three men and one female entered the Taumata Rd property at 9am with a firearm and a knife and reportedly escorted a female inside the house.
Once inside, her wrists were tied with material from inside the home and she was blindfolded.
Another female and a male, who were also inside the house, had the same done to them.
All three were left in the lounge and were allegedly threatened by the offenders.
A five-month-old baby girl was left unattended by the offenders, as they searched the property looking for particular items, police said.
After 10 minutes they left and took with them various items and a 1990s-model mauve- coloured Jeep Cherokee 4WD, with the registration plate DBL74.
The victims managed to free themselves after the offenders left and police were notified.
Tauranga police Detective Sergeant Darryl Brazier told the Bay of Plenty Times police that inquiries had established it was probably not a random attack.
They are now hunting the offenders and the missing vehicle and warn that the four are likely to still be armed and should not be approached.
"These offences are serious, these people, if known or seen, should not be approached ... they are facing a raft of criminal offending and that includes kidnapping," he said.
The four are described as follows:
* A female European, aged about 40, 1.6m, with shoulder-length blonde/ brown hair.
* A male, part-Maori. Mid-30s, 1.7m, with shoulder-length black hair and of solid to heavy build.
* A male Maori, 1.8, black curly hair, mid-30s. Solid build.
* The third male was aged about 40, Maori, 1.6m and of slim build.
Police are keen to hear from anyone who may be able to provide information on the whereabouts of the jeep or the offenders. Phone 0800 SPEAK UP or 577-4300.
- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES