Police: Suspects in armed home invasion used duct tape on family

TAUNTON, Mass. — Police are searching for five men who terrified a local family at gunpoint during an armed home invasion.

Taunton Police were dispatched to a multi-family home on Morton Street around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday after receiving a report of people being held against their will, possibly at gunpoint.

When officers arrived, they walked into the front door of the building, which was halfway open.

There, they found a woman whose mouth was wrapped in duct tape and t-shirts. The woman was holding a small child. A man was also in the room on his knees with duct tape wrapped around his mouth. The men held guns to their heads.

"That’s just terrifying," said Pam Smith, who was among local residents stunned to learn of the armed home invasion.

"It’s a quiet area. It’s like, if you’re smart, you’re in and out," said Doug Martin, who saw police responding to the scene.

"As I turned the corner to take off, another cruiser turned the corner with his lights on," he said.

Officers checked the victims to see if they were okay and then searched the rest of the apartment for the suspects. The victims were not injured.

While searching the apartment, officers outside saw several people jumping from the apartment windows onto the ground below. The suspects then fled toward Taunton State Hospital.

No one else was found inside the apartment.

Police found two firearms and one magazine inside the apartment and seized the items as evidence.

Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspects.

An undisclosed amount of money and some jewelry was taken from the victims.

"I can’t wrap my head around how bad people are. I heard they were tied up with duct tape and there was a baby too. Horrible," Smith said.

Police are trying to determine why the family was targeted. The incident remains under investigation.

Anyone who may have seen people fleeing in the area of Taunton State Hospital, or anyone with information is asked to call Taunton Police at 508-824-7522.

Cox Media Group