Victims tied up in their own home during burglary in Brentwood

Four men broke into the house in Costead Manor Road by forcing the front door open.

The burglars, one carrying a chisel or screwdriver, demanded drugs from the two men and one woman inside, before tying them up and spraying them with an unknown substance.

They threw a wooden box at the woman, and one of the men received a small cut to his arm.

All three were taken to Queen’s Hospital, Romford, for treatment for the effects of the substance.

The crooks stole jewellery and cash and tried to take the owner’s car, but the vehicle’s security system prevented them from doing so.

Police have this week appealed for information about the crime, which took place just before 1am on Wednesday, February 22.

Investigating officer Pc Garry Bray said: “The victims and I are at a loss to understand why these men targeted this home and feel they may have got the wrong address.

‘Commotion’

“I am appealing for anyone who was in the area and heard any of this commotion going on or has any knowledge regarding these people to contact me, or anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers, where you can just leave the information you have, not your name.”

The first man is described as black with very dark skin, aged 20 to 23, 5ft 8in to 5ft 10in tall and wearing dark clothing. The second was black, aged 20 to 25, between 5ft 6in and 5ft 7in tall, of stocky build and wearing dark-coloured clothing with thick ski gloves.

The third was also black, aged 25 to 30, 6ft tall, of medium build but strong and muscular, with an oval-shaped face and a square jaw.

This man wore dark clothing and had a distinctive African accent.

The fourth burglar was white, in his mid to late twenties, 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins tall, of medium to stocky build and wearing a grey top and dark blue Levi’s jeans.

n Anyone with information should contact Pc Bray or his colleagues at Harlow police station on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.