Update: Family Freed Themselves After Home Invasion

Alpharetta police continue the investigation into a home invasion and robbery of a Garrick Point home in Glen Abbey subdivision on Thursday, Sept. 15, at 8:45 p.m., according to George Gordon, Department of Public Safety spokesperson.

The family told police that the father was working in the home's garage, with one door open at the time, according to the incident report released today, Sept. 19. As the homeowner walked into the home,  three men wearing skis masks, gloves and dark clothing stormed into the house behind him. At least two of the men had semiautomatic handguns.

The victim' wife attempted to flee through the laundry room door, but she was tackled to the floor by one of the suspects. The incidept report states that a rag was stuffed into her mouth and she was dragged back into the kitchen with her husband. The suspects took a Rolex watch, ring and wallet from the husband, and dumped the contents of the wife's purse out.

The couple was taken upstairs to the master bedroom, forced to lie on the floor and had clothing piled on top of them.

One of the suspects went into their son's bedroom, finding him hiding in the closet and taking him back to his parent's bedroom.

The family members were bound with packing tape on their arms and legs.

For the next hour, the suspects ransacked the home, tossing contents of closets and bedrooms onto the floor, turning over all the beds in a serach for valuables, and opening the safe, taking jewelry from it. The kitchen and family also were ransacked.

The family members managed to free themselves from the tape and hit the panic button on the alarm system, Alpharetta police report in the incident report. But they stayed upstairs since they didn't know if the suspects had left the home. That's where police found them when they arrived.

Alpharetta police responded to the call made at 9:59 p.m. after the family in the home managed to free themselves, according to the incident report.

The suspects were described as males, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, with slight builds, and all wearing black Sketchers tennis shoes.

"We have an active investigation underway and it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this time," said Gordon.

Since that statement on Sept. 17, Gordon said, "The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigation Division is working this incident as a top priority with the goal of bringing those responsible for this crime into custody."

He said staff within the Public Safety department has maintained contact with representatives and residents of the neighborhood. The assigned police officer liaison to this community has meet with the residents to address any questions or needs. Additional meetings are planned.