Home invasion: girl tied up

Detectives want to hear from anyone who saw a tall cyclist around Victoria Ave and Waimea Lane between 4am and 5am on Thursday. Photo / Steven McNicholl

A family living on one of New Zealand's richest streets were subjected to a frightening home invasion in which a teenage girl was tied up and robbed.

The 19-year-old was startled in bed by the intruder -whose face was covered with a bandanna-while family members slept upstairs.

The young woman was sleeping in a downstairs bedroom in Victoria Ave, Remuera, when the intruder entered about 4.30am on Thursday.

Police say the raid was brazen and well planned and have told residents to make sure their homes are secure.

Last night, a woman at the house told the Weekend Herald the family were still coming to terms with what happened.

"We're quite shattered by it."

The family had been told not to discuss details of their ordeal. She hoped the police were following good leads and the intruder would be caught, especially since there was a public appeal for sightings of him.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard, of Auckland City police, said the victim was traumatised but not physically harmed.

It wasn't known if she or her family had been specifically targeted or if the attack was random.

"While there is pre-planning, whether that was a targeted house ... that will form part of our investigation."

But the fact the intruder brought "tools of trade" with him and appeared to have planned the invasion carefully troubled the police.

Mr Beard would not say what tools the intruder had with him, or if the victim was tied up with something he took to the house.

"It's concerning - the brazenness and the planning that has gone into it," the detective inspector said.

The teenager was in bed when she was startled by the intruder, who was aged between 30 and 50, at least 2m tall and of slim, athletic build.

He was wearing green or brown cargo pants, a purple patterned bandanna over his face and a black hooded sweatshirt.

The intruder took personal items including jewellery and a laptop and fled on a blue mountain bike taken from the home.

Once the intruder was gone, the teenager raised the alarm with her family.

Mr Beard would not say what was said to the teenager or how the intruder gained entry to the house.

The family were still in their home last night despite their shock.

The house is protected by a tall fence and locked gate that can be opened only with a code.

A high hedge also obscures much of the property from the street.

Neighbours were unaware that something was wrong until they saw police, some with dogs, on the street.

Officers went door-to-door asking residents if they had heard anything.

One neighbour, John Zhang, 23, said it was an unusual thing to happen in Remuera.

"It's a little bit scary. We have made sure all our doors are locked."

Another resident, who declined to be named, said it was a frightening reminder that crime could happen anywhere, even in what was regarded as a safe street.

Police want to hear from anyone who saw a tall cyclist in the area around Victoria Ave and Waimea Lane between 4am and 5am.

They are also keen to hear about any prowler-type incidents in the area that have not already been reported to the police.