A home invasion occurred on the 9900 block of Scotch Broom Court in Potomac.
“It appears to be an isolated incident,” said Montgomery County Police Spokesman Joyce Utter.
The invasion , in the Glenn Falls section of Potomac happened on May 10 at approximately 8:45 p.m.
According to a preliminary police investigation, four or five males knocked on the door of the home. When the door was opened, they barged in. One suspect displayed a gun, another a hammer. The victims, a family of four, were tied up and forced to the floor.
“No one was injured,” said Derek Baliles, another police spokesman.
An undisclosed amount of jewelry and cash was taken from the safe and the master bedroom before the suspects fled. The suspects wore gloves.
Home invasions are fairly rare in Montgomery County, occurring less than 10 times a year, said Baliles. “They do pop up now and then,” he said.
In the event that an unidentified person comes to the door, the best option is not to open it. “Don’t open the door unless you know who it is,” Baliles said.
He recommends looking out a window to identify who is at the door. “If you can’t identify them, or they won’t identify themselves, don’t open the door,” Baliles said.
There is no official police recommendation on whether or not a person should fight back in such a situation. “It’s an individual decision whether you’re going to comply or fight back,” Baliles said. In this case the family complied with the invaders and were unharmed. However Baliles noted that there have been situations where a crime victim was saved because they chose to fight back.
The crime is being investigated by the Major Crimes Division. “It’s that serious,” Baliles said. Anyone with information about this, or any other crime should call Crime Solvers 1-800-673-2777.