DOUGLASTON, NY – A tranquil Queens neighborhood was jolted awake early Saturday morning when a violent home invasion unfolded, leaving residents in shock. The NYPD responded to a 911 call from a woman who whispered that intruders had broken into her home. Upon arrival, officers saw family members on the floor through a window, their hands bound.
The incident occurred around 2 a.m. near Marathon Parkway and Coleman Avenue. According to police, three men broke into the home through a window, armed with a gun and hammers. During the invasion, a 43-year-old man was struck on the foot with a hammer, and a 71-year-old woman was punched in the face. Eight people, including a one-year-old girl, were inside the home at the time.
A woman managed to escape the house with the baby, alerting the police to the dire situation inside. Six other family members, including a 13-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl, were held hostage by the intruders. Neighbors, who are accustomed to the area’s peacefulness, expressed their disbelief and concern over the violent episode.
The attackers fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. However, the NYPD quickly set up a perimeter and deployed drones, leading to the swift apprehension of the three suspects. The stolen money was recovered, and the suspects were taken into custody.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner John Daughtry praised the officers’ rapid and effective response on social media, calling it an “exceptional response.” The community remains shaken but grateful for the prompt action that brought the terrifying ordeal to a close.
Authorities towed a white van with no license plates from the scene as part of the ongoing investigation. The suspects, identified as a 34-year-old and a 39-year-old, now face multiple charges in connection with the home invasion.