A Dundee woman has revealed how she begged masked robbers to see her sick husband as the thugs ransacked their home for thousands of pounds’ worth of goods.
Three men forced their way into the house on Harefield Road shortly after 4pm on Tuesday – making off with jewellery and cash.
The 66-year-old woman has told The Courier how the thugs forced her, her 75-year-old husband and their vulnerable daughter to the floor and slapped their faces.
The criminals spent about 40 minutes raiding the home, which is near Frankie’s chip shop, before locking the family inside and fleeing.
Man, 75, thrown to kitchen floor
The woman, who does not want to be identified, said: “We were terrified. They came to the back of our house at the Harefield Grove entrance.
“My husband thought it was the neighbour as only one man was visible at that point.
“My husband was thrown to the kitchen floor and they took his Rolex watch.
“I could hear him shouting and I tried to grab my phone and dial 999.
I told them not to touch my daughter as she is vulnerable, we were both crying”
“At this stage two of the men came running up the stairs and one of them grabbed my phone.
“They pushed me and my daughter and told us to sit down.
“I told them not to touch my daughter as she is vulnerable, we were both crying.
“They stole a bangle off my hand and the other man started raiding the upstairs rooms, taking cash and gold.
“One of them was watching me and my daughter and the other person involved was watching my husband in the kitchen.
“I explained my husband hadn’t been well and I needed to see him. I actually grabbed the man’s foot and begged him that I needed to see my husband.”
The woman, who has lived in the house for 22 years, says the three men involved were white, and were wearing surgical facemasks.
She continued: “Any time we tried to look up they would push our heads down and they also slapped our faces.
“Before they left, they took a spray from the kitchen and wiped all the areas they’d touched.
“As they were leaving they locked the front and the back doors and took the keys and calmly walked out.
“They headed towards St John’s High School direction.
“My husband started shouting for help before a neighbour rushed to our aid.”
Neighbour went to couple’s aid
The neighbour, who lives in the same row of terraced houses, says she initially believed the men to be tradesmen when she saw them leaving Harefield Grove.
She told The Courier: “The three of them looked like workies – dark clothing with loads of pockets in the trousers.
“They were well-built and they were removing their surgical facemasks and gloves as they were leaving.
“I thought that was odd – they were clutching a red canvas bag.
“They started walking very calmly towards St John’s but crossed over to the opposing side of the road.
“As I was watching them, I heard the neighbour shouting from the window for help.
“I didn’t have my phone but grabbed a paper girl and got her phone to call the police.
“Hearing what our neighbours have been subjected to is a massive concern for the community.”
Locals left ‘shellshocked’
Another woman who lives nearby says she is “shellshocked”.
The 61-year-old said: “It is absolutely horrendous what they’ve been subjected to, nobody deserves this.
“We can’t begin to imagine the ordeal they’ve gone through.
“We are here for them as they’ve been a part of this community for a number of years.
“To hear this has happened on our doorstep has left us completely shellshocked.”
The victim says she had a “sleepless night” after the raid, adding: “This has been our home for a number of years and we’ve never had anything like this before.
“We are grateful to our neighbours who came to help us and also those who have checked in on us.”
Police issue description of suspects
Police say two of the men are described as white and of medium build.
They were both wearing dark clothing, a blue face mask and gloves.
The third man was also white and of medium build, between 5ft 10ins and 6ft, and had a brown beard.
He was wearing a dark grey woollen jumper, grey trousers, a blue face mask and leather gloves, possibly with the figures 07 on the back.
Detective Sergeant Craig Kelly, of Dundee CID, said: “Those within the property at the time of this incident were fortunately not physically injured but they were assaulted and threatened and left traumatised by what happened.
“I am urging anyone who may have seen these men, both before and after the incident to get in touch.
“Also, anyone with dashcam or private CCTV that could assist with our investigation is asked to contact officers.
“This is being treated as a targeted attack and while it is believed to be an isolated incident patrols will be carried out in the area and anyone with concerns should speak to officers.
We are urging householders with high value items, such as jewellery and watches, to make sure they are stored safely out of sight
“In addition, we are urging householders with high value items, such as jewellery and watches, to make sure they are stored safely out of sight.
“Having appropriate security in and around your home can play a crucial role in deterring would-be thieves and we would urge the public to consider investing in robust locks, motion-activated lighting and even CCTV, if possible.
“Anyone with information that can assist with our inquiries into this incident are asked to contact us on 101, quoting incident number 2521 of May 31.
“Alternatively, a call can be made anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
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