Riverside family of 3 tied up with duct tape in home-invasion robbery

Police are looking for three men they say forced their way into an upscale home near the Mission Grove area of Riverside late Tuesday night and tied up the family that lived there with duct tape.

 "It scares you!" said Chris Clemens, a neighbor. 

The home invasion happened in the 14100 block of Ashton Lane at about 9:40 p.m. Police say the homeowner was in his garage when three armed men in hoodies held him at gunpoint, then herded him and his family into a bathroom and tied them up with duct tape.

The gunmen ransacked the home, taking cash and cell phones, before taking off. The family of three – including the parents and their 11-year-old daughter.

"Once the suspects left, they were able to free themselves and go to the neighbor's house and call 911," said Officer Javier Cabrera of the Riverside Police Department. 

A helicopter and officers were at the scene within minutes, but the suspects were not found.

This is not the first time a home-invasion robbery has happened in the area -- a month ago to the day, a similar incident happened about a mile away. Investigators, however, won't confirm if the two robberies are related.

But one thing police will confirm is that residents should be aware of their surroundings, even in the safety of their own homes.

"Especially late at night, don't leave your garage door open," Cabrera said. "Even if you're inside, always play it safe. Close your garage doors, always, and windows too."