Seven masked men forced their way into a Langford home and assaulted a 25-year-old-mother while her four-year-old son watched. It was one of two home-invasion robberies in the West Shore in the past two days, police said.
The Langford robbery happened about 7 p.m. Thursday in the 800-block of Brock Avenue. The men ransacked the home and stole money, jewelry and a safe. At least one man had a crowbar which was left at the scene.
Each of the men was wearing the same black motorcycle mask and black clothing, said West Shore RCMP spokesman Const. Alex Berube.
Officers and a Saanich police dog searched the area, but the men could not be found.
The woman was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The child was not injured.
Berube said police don’t know whether the victim knew her attackers or if the home was targeted. The father also lives at the home but was out at the time, Berube said.
The victim is co-operating with police. “Steps have been taken to support the family,” he said.
The home is in a newer townhouse complex attached to the Casa Bella condominiums at 866 Brock Ave. Residents said there was a notice in the elevator alerting people about the home invasion and that a set of keys might have been stolen.
Berube would not confirm if a set of keys was taken.
Property manager Proline Management Ltd. did not return calls for comment.
Neighbours in the area said they saw police cars parked outside the home on Thursday night but did not hear any disturbances.
“I have two babies, so that’s terrifying,” said one woman after she heard about the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to call West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Three people were arrested after another home invasion, in Colwood, early Friday morning. RCMP say they don’t believe the two incidents are related.
About 12:30 a.m., police were called about a suspicious car in the 3100-block of Antrobus Crescent, where a witness saw four people get out of the car and head toward a house.
West Shore RCMP officers arrived and saw two men and a woman leave the home where they had just threatened the two residents and ransacked the home, stealing money and electronics.
The three people were arrested, but a fourth person, a woman, slipped away undetected.
A Saanich police dog searched for the woman but she could not be found.
Police believe the victims know the people who broke into the home.
Berube said a phone call from a concerned neighbour led to the arrests.
