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Houston Coin Dealer Robbed of $500,000 in Hostage Situation

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Source: Coin Crimes - December 5, 2011

RICHMOND, Texas

Two men attacked a family at a Fort Bend County home Thursday, investigators said.

Fort Bend County sheriff’s deputies said two masked men accosted the family as they returned to their home in the 10100 block of Hidden Lake Lane near FM 723 in the Richmond area about 7 p.m.

A man in the gold exchange business, his pregnant wife and two children were tied up and held at gunpoint, detectives said.

The men demanded cash, coins and jewelry, investigators said.

Detectives said the ordeal lasted about 2 ½ hours.

Deputies said the robbers got away with $500,000 worth of precious metals and cash.

The husband told a 911 operator that the robbers emptied a safe inside the home.

“They loaded the back seat with suitcases full of gold and silver that they made me take out of the safe,” the husband told a 911 operator.

Investigators said the robbers were on the phone with someone who told them what to look for and where the valuables were kept inside the home and were aggressive with the family.

“They actually inserted the barrel of one of the firearms into a 12-year-old child’s mouth,” Chief Deputy Craig Brady said.

The husband was beaten during the home invasion, officials said. The extent his injuries was not released.

“They hogtied us with scrap and they poured alcohol on me and told me they were going to set me on fire,” the husband told the 911 operator. “I was tied to the kids.”

Detectives said they do not have descriptions of the attackers.

The men got away in the homeowner’s red Lexus SUV, investigators said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers at 281-342-TIPS.

SOURCE and VIDEO: http://www.click2houston.com/news/Masked-men-hold-family-hostage-during-home-invasion/-/1735978/4864752/-/10owtdl/-/index.html

Full article: http://www.coincrimes.com/2011/12/05/gold-dealer-robbed-during-home-invasion-in-houston/