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Woman, 68, Tied Up In Olney Home Invasion, Robbery

By Jenn Bernstein

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Police are searching for two men who tied up and robbed a 68-year-old woman in the Olney section of the city.

Just after 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to the report of a home invasion and robbery on the 1300 block of West Olney Avenue, above Tellups Tavern and Restaurant.

The victim told police she was in her apartment on the second floor asleep, when she was startled awake around midnight by two men breaking in through her second floor rear window.

"She was in her bed asleep when she was awoken by these two intruders breaking in and they had flashlights, they shined the flashlights in her face, which woke her up," said Chief Inspector Scott Small.

She told police the suspects then tied her up with clothing, as well as an extension cord, binding her neck, wrists and ankles.

The men then demanded money.

"These two robbers then completely ransacked the property," said Small. "They actually ripped doors from the hinges of a closet, they overturned and broke furniture. They emptied out drawers."

The intruders then left.

The woman told police she was tied up for about an hour after until she was able to free herself and call 911.

"The only thing that she noticed was missing was a handgun, that she has registered to her," said Chief Inspector Small.

Police are also getting information the intruders may not have been wearing any gloves. Detectives dusted the apartment for fingerprints.

Police found several cameras in the neighborhood which they will check for evidence.

Investigators believe the robbers may have climbed onto dumpsters in the back, or may have climbed up a fence behind the house, leading to a window on her second floor patio.

The 68-year-old has some bruising on her wrists.

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