73-year-old woman found tied up and robbed in NJ home break-in
CLIFTON, New Jersey (WABC) -- Police responded to a call from a 73-year-old woman who was found tied up and robbed in her Clifton home early Sunday afternoon.
Ramona Cartagena said she had been working on an arts and crafts project in her kitchen when she heard someone enter her home. At the time she believed it to be a family member.
Within seconds of storming into the home, the suspects told Cartagena in Spanish not to move and threw her to the ground. They then taped her mouth, wrists and hands with duct tape that she was using for her art project. One of the suspects was carrying a hand gun.
Cartagena said she had watched enough crime dramas that she knew to pay attention and follow orders. The suspects went through and ransacked the house in less than eight minutes.
Eventually Cartagena was able to remove the duct tape from her mouth and retrieve her phone from her pocket to call the police.
She found that cash and precious valuables had been taken, among which were rings that had belonged to her late daughter, Maria.
The suspects were described as two males, dressed in all black and wearing possible surgical masks.
Police believe the incident to be random at this this time.
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