Couple targeted in terrifying home invasion

Upper Hutt police say a terrifying home invasion last night was not a random attack. File photo / NZ Herald

Armed offenders who held up a married couple in a frightening Hutt Valley home invasion last night escaped with more than $50,000, police say.

Police said that the couple, a 65-year-old woman and her 67-year-old husband, were not injured, but were left hooded and tied up before their three assailants fled.

The couple's daughter, Carissa Wiffen, told TV's One News tonight her parents were very stressed by the incident.

Upper Hutt police today have been completing a scene examination at the Chatsworth Road, Silverstream, house which they say was deliberately targeted by the trio.

The robbery happened about 6pm when the three men, armed with firearms and with their faces concealed, entered the house and confronted the woman in the kitchen while her husband watched television in another room.

They pointed guns at the terrified pair demanding cash and gold and forced them to open a safe taking more than $50,000 in business takings and gold jewellery, before leaving.

Upper Hutt area commander Inspector Mike Hill said the offenders knew a lot about the victims and it was not a random attack.

"Our inquiries so far lead us to believe that these three offenders knew the occupants and have specifically targeted them," he said.

The offenders made the couple lie down on the floor at gunpoint while they searched the house.

After about 20 minutes, the robbers fled the address with the cash in $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes.

"Before the offenders fled though, they bound the elderly couple and covered their heads.

"This has left the victims extremely shaken in what was a very, very scary incident."

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

Ms Wiffen said her parents were "pretty stressed, very emotional.. Mum and Dad haven't had much sleep".

"Mum and Dad are the sort of people that if they took money out their bank and they didn't spend it they would then just put it away for a rainy day and so for them the safest place to put it was in the safe," she said.

Mr Hill said police had received some good information from the public, but more was needed to help identify the offenders.

"We want to hear from any residents of Chatsworth Road, who witnessed any suspicious activity between 5.30pm and 6.30pm or anyone who may know those responsible."

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.

"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.

Neighbour Matt Reid has described the couple involved as "absolutely lovely" and said the attack was a shock to the whole neighbourhood.

"It's terrible, they're such a lovely couple. And to happen in this area, which is a beautiful area, it's a real surprise," he told TVNZ.

- NZPA