Burglary gang threatens boys
Dec 8 2006 By Steve Johnson, Birmingham Mail
TWO teenage boys were subjected to a terrifying ordeal by a gang of masked men who burst into their home in the Black Country.
o The attack last night in Woodfield Avenue, Penn Fields, Wolverhampton, was the latest in a spate of worrying aggravated burglaries in the Tettenhall, Penn and Pendeford areas of the city.
The youngsters were alone in the house when the four robbers - believed to have already carried out at least a dozen raids on family homes in the area in the last three months - kicked open the front door at about 6pm.
The boys were threatened by the gang and made to tell them where valuables were kept before the gang ransacked the house.
The gang stole thousands of pounds worth of jewellery, a laptop computer and a playstation.
They fled with their haul in carrier bags, running off towards Penn Road.
Police said they were alerted by a member of the public.
The two boys were left badly shaken by their 15-minute ordeal but were unhurt.
Police said the four young offenders were wearing dark clothing with their faces covered.
One was reported to be wearing a black jacket similar to an Arsenal Football Club official coat.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said at this stage it was unclear why the gang had targeted the house.
Police were today carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the area and investigating possible links with a series of other aggravated burglaries in the Wolverhampton area. They believe the same gang has been responsible for the spate of attacks.
Anyone with any information about last night's incident, or may have information about the four offenders, was urged to contact Bilston Street CID at Wolverhampton on 0845 1135000.
Police said the gang have already stormed homes in affluent areas including Tettenhall and Tettenhall Wood.
The gang have pushed family members around rooms in their own properties, forcing them to hand over valuables, including car keys.
In the last three months 12 homes have been violated by the raiders, who have also struck in the Whitmore Reans and Aldersley.
