Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
MASKED RAIDER BURSTS INTO HOME
Couple tell of robbery terror
A Petersburn couple have been left “terrified” in their home after a knife- wielding thug pretending to be a policeman smashed his way into the property with a battering ram.
The masked intruder demanded “specific” items of jewellery from the Luing residents – a 63-year-old man and his 58-year-old wife – and ordered the petrified pair to remain in their bedroom while he ransacked the house
last Thursday night before leaving empty-handed.
Now the victims can’t sleep at night following their harrowing ordeal.
Speaking exclusively to the Advertiser, the grandad-ofeight, who asked not to be named, said:“It was terrifying. We heard a huge bang and rushed into the hallway.
“A man was shouting, ‘police’, and we saw a battering ram coming right through the front door.
“We had no idea what was going on and asked him to stop so that we could open it.
“As soon as my wife unlocked the door, this man dressed all in black and wearing a ski mask rushed in.”
The petrified couple – who have four children – were pushed into a bedroom as the intruder demanded they hand over a“specific watch, chain and bracelet”.
Despite the householders’ protestations that they didn’t possess any of the items, the thug went on to ransack their home.
The man continued:“He was throwing drawers and boxes around the living room and repeatedly asked for these items.
“He kept coming back to the bedroom but the more we said we didn’t have what he was after, the more frustrated he got.
“My wife noticed the knife and began to panic. She wouldn’t say boo to a goose and was terrified we were going to get hurt.
“He didn’t threaten us with the knife but he made sure we knew he had it.”
After 15 excruciating minutes, the intruder took off empty-handed.
But his victim, who has lived in Luing for 43 years, says the experience has left him mentally scarred.
He said:“I can’t sleep at night because of the fear I’ve been left with.
“Nobody should be scared in their own home. Now we’re terrified this will happen again. We’re listening out for every sound.”
Detective Inspector Cameron Miller, of Coatbridge CID, said:“Although nobody was hurt in what we believe to have been a targeted attack, this was a terrifying ordeal for the couple and has left them extremely shaken.
“If anyone has any information we would urge you to come forward and contact us on 101.”