Home invaders likely had wrong address

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A teen-aged girl is lucky to be safe following a home invasion Aug. 13 when around five men, one with a gun, entered her home just before 11 p.m.

The 17-year-old answered the door of her home on the 2400 block of Upland Street and the men entered, one armed and demanding money. The RCMP believe the men realized they'd targeted the wrong address and left without harming the girl.

"If you look at the overall act including witnesses' accounts, it makes us believe they had the wrong address," said Cpl. Craig Douglass. "Home invasions aren't random. They have a purpose. This was clearly targeted, but we don't believe this residence was the target."

Meanwhile the victim is being helped by Victims Services.

"She is probably a little traumatized. Victims Services is working with her. They do so much that we, as investigators, unfortunately don't have time to do. They help people pick up the pieces, and with their help I think this young lady will be okay."

Three of the suspects are described as:

• First Nations male, 6'2" (188 cm), chubby, with brown eyes and acne on both cheeks

• Caucasian male, tall, skinny wearing a black bandana that covered most of his face;

• Caucasian male, tall, wearing a green bandana that covered his mouth and nose.

Although he doesn't want people to be overly alarmed, Douglass reminded residents that since it is likely the suspects got the wrong house, someone else may still be targeted.

"So we want to make sure everyone is taking extra precautions."

Some tips include ensuring you have appropriate lighting outside your residence, have a dead-bolt lock, use a reinforced heavy door, make sure your screws are the appropriate length to keep your hinges in place and have an alarm system with a panic button so that if you see something frightening outside you can get help immediately.If someone does get in your house, Douglass said the best thing you can do is co-operate.

"Money and possessions aren't even close to being as important as your personal safety."

As soon as it's over, he added, notify 911 immediately.More tips can be found at princegeorge.rcmp.ca. If you have any information about this serious Criminal offence, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-TIPS (8477), online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca, or Text-A-Tip to CRIMES using keyword "pgtips".