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Police: Woman Tortured In Oxford Circle Home Invasion

By Matt Rivers

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Philadelphia Police are searching for two suspects wanted in connection with a violent home invasion Friday night in the city's Oxford Circle section.

The incident was reported at the 1500 block of Rosalie Street.

Police tell Eyewitness News a 28-year-old woman was tortured in front of her two-year-old daughter and her four-year-old nephew.

Police say a pair of men broke into the back door of this home on Rosalie Street, attacking the people inside including the 28-year-old woman, her two-year-old daughter and four-year-old nephew, her 54-year-old mother and an electrician working at the house.

"These two individuals tied up all the three adults. They tied up their wrists and their ankles," Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said.

Beating up the electrician in the process, police say the pair started demanding money, something the 28-year-old said she didn't have. That's when one of the attackers allegedly picked up a kitchen knife, turned on the stove, and put the blade in the flame.

"And then four separate times burnt the 28-year-old female, burnt her face, both of her arms and her stomach," Small said.

Still she refused to speak, so the crime went further.

"Then picked up the 28-year-old's two-year-old daughter and threatened to kill the daughter if she didn't say where the money was," Small said.

Finally she caved, and gave up some money she had.  So did her mother and the electrician.  The pair got away with nearly $4,000.  Glenn Sanders is related to all the victims, an ex-husband, father and grandfather.

"Her mother called me crying and said she's tied up and you know, you gotta be in this position, I've never been in this situation," Sanders said.

He's livid though, and hopes police catch those responsible.  Neither he nor the police know why the crooks would target this house.

Police are sill looking for the two men.  They have limited descriptions of the suspects but are hoping fingerprint evidence recovered inside the home with help identify them.

Stay with CBSPhilly.com for the latest on this developing story.

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