A homeowner and two young children were held at gunpoint by armed men during a frightening home invasion in unincorporated Deerfield Thursday, authorities said.
Around 7:20 p.m. an 8-year-old boy who lives at a home in the 1100 block of Inverrary Lane was playing outside in the yard with a friend when three men pulled up in a car, according to police.
The men jumped out of the vehicle and pulled out a gun before forcing the children into the home at gunpoint, police said.
"Somebody went and got my child outside to bring him inside and rob his dad," said the mother of the 8-year-old victim.
Once inside, the men forced the boy’s parent as well as the two children to the ground until they surrendered valuables.
"They said they wanted the money and [the father] said 'I don't have any' and I guess he saw his wallet sitting by the computer," said the young boy's grandmother.
Family members, who wish to remain anonymous for safety concerns, said other children, ages 3 and 2, were also in the room during the incident.
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"When a 3-year-old tells you about someone holding a gun on her it's kind of upsetting," the grandmother said.
Police said the men got away with $500 in cash and approximately $10,000 worth of jewelry during the holdup, according to authorities.
All three suspects fled and no injuries were reported, but a home security system captured the terrifying incident on video.
"My son is looking right at them, the guy with the gun," the mother of the boy said after seeing an image captured by the cameras. "He can't stop thinking about it. It's scary."
The family said the situation has left a lasting mark.
"Just try to make [the kids] feel safe and let them know it won't happen again, that's about all you can do," the grandmother said.
Police do not have anyone in custody as they continue to investigate the crime.
Anyone able to identify the two is asked to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives at 847-377-4250 or Lake County Crime Stoppers at 847-662-2222.
