By BRIDGET CARTER
Three masked men stormed into a couple's bedroom yesterday, threatened them with a knife, bound them with tape and stole Eftpos cards and property.
The case is the latest in what Victim Support and police say is a rising number of home invasions in Greater Auckland.
"More and more frequently
people are breaking into houses and demanding things," said Detective Sergeant Mark Osbourne of the city's crime squad.
Yesterday's case involved a 23-year-old who works in marketing and his 20-year-old English-language student girlfriend. They did not want to be identified.
The offenders gained entry to their flat in Owairaka, walked up the stairs and into the couple's bedroom about 4.30am.
The 23-year-old said he woke to see a man disguised in a balaclava, then realised two others were right behind him.
One of the offenders was holding a knife.
The man said he threw the bed covers over his girlfriend's head to protect her.
He suffered cuts to his hands as the offender holding the knife pushed him down.
The invaders bound yellow tape around the couple's eyes, mouths, hands and feet, then one said something like, "If you move, I will kill you guys".
The offenders then searched the room, grabbing cameras, cellphones, some bags and a wallet.
They also stole the passport belonging to the 23-year-old, who is a Chinese national.
Then they asked for the pin numbers for his and his girlfriend's Eftpos cards.
One of the offenders left to withdraw money, while the other two stayed in the bedroom guarding the victims.
Soon after, the absent offender rang to say he had managed to withdraw money - about $250.
The other two left about 10 minutes later, telling the couple that if they called the police they would return.
Last night, the victims were still shaken from the ordeal.
The 23-year-old said someone must have been watching the flat, saw that Asian people lived there and assumed they had a lot of money.
Auckland region Victim Support practice manager Shirley Williams said that right across Auckland home invasions seemed to be increasing.
"We just have offenders out there who for whatever reason are choosing to break into people's homes and threaten them with violence."
Police want anyone who may have information about the case to call Auckland City police on (09) 302-6400.
