NYPD Searching For Armed Suspects, One Posing As A UPS Delivery Person, In Brazen Home Invasion

New York police are searching for two suspects – one who posed as a UPS delivery man – and allegedly forced grandparents and their two young grandkids to zip tie themselves as they got away with Apple electronics, over $7,500 in cash and money from a piggy bank.

“They came in here, rushed on my parents acting like UPS workers. Tied them up, took a couple stuff from here,” the victims’ son told WCBS. He was not at home when the robbery took place.

Police said in a statement that on Monday, the grandmother, 60, answered the door for an individual that appeared to be a delivery person holding a box.

The man said he was with UPS and was wearing a brown winter hat with “UPS” on the front, police said.

After the victim opened the door, the suspect pushed her inside the apartment and revealed a silver revolver inside of the box. Once inside the apartment, he was joined by an accomplice, police said.

At gunpoint, they forced the woman and her husband, 63, and their grandson, 8, and granddaughter, 6, to use zip ties to bind themselves.

Police said the suspects started to remove the family’s property including two iPhones, an iPad, and personal documents. They also allegedly took $7,500 from a safe, money from a children’s piggy bank and then fled the apartment.

“They took everything. They took everything for Christmas,” the grandfather told WCBS. He does not speak English. The building’s superintendent, Raul Ortiz, provided the translation.  

“It’s home invasion – worse than robbery. Tie you up and everything,” Ortiz told the station.  

The victims were not injured, according to police, but the young son told WCBS that they are frightened.

“They’re scared. They’re still scared,” he said. “They took the kids’ phones and tablets… took cash they found around the house.”

Investigators released surveillance video in which the man disguised as a UPS worker can be seen carrying a box. His face is partially covered as he paces in front of the couple’s apartment. His accomplice is also seen in the video. Both men are later seen leaving the apartment complex with several items.

“I hope they catch him,” Ortiz said. “These people are nice people. They don’t bother nobody.”

Police are offering a reward of up to $3,500 to anyone with information that leads to an arrest. 

They are also urging residents not to open their doors if they are not expecting a package, or they don’t recognize the person making the delivery. Packages can also we left outside the door if it’s a legitimate delivery.