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A family in San Bernardino County is still grappling with fear and confusion following a harrowing home invasion that took place over the weekend.
The break-in occurred just after midnight on Sunday in the 700 block of Concord Lane in Redlands. According to Stanley Trammel, the homeowner, a group of four to five masked men kicked in a back door, triggering the family's home alarm system, but seemed undeterred by the noise or the presence of the household members.
Trammel recounted the terrifying details to KTLA’s Shelby Nelson. Despite the lights being on and his wife being downstairs watching television, the intruders forced their way inside. Trammel's 21-year-old son was asleep upstairs while he was also on the upper floor.
"She told me that she heard a loud boom and then a second one because the door didn’t give the first time they kicked it," Trammel explained. "Then this guy came in and she screamed."
The situation escalated quickly as the men, all dressed in black, confronted the family. Trammel attempted to fend off one of the intruders with his cane, even as the man pointed a gun at him. Meanwhile, his wife, trying to avoid the assailants, tripped and struck her head.
This terrifying encounter lasted only five to seven minutes, yet the impact was profound. The suspects, who didn't utter a word during the invasion, left the family unharmed but deeply unsettled. Even more puzzling was the fact that the intruders took nothing and made no demands.
"We think that they were actually looking in the bedrooms, which are all upstairs," Trammel said. "Nobody made any demands about ‘give us your jewelry’ or ‘give us your money.’ They didn’t take anything. I’m more confused than anything else because we don’t know why."
Security footage from a neighbor's surveillance cameras captured the moment police arrived at the scene, only to find that the suspects had already fled. The Redlands Police Department quickly set up a perimeter and conducted a search but came up empty-handed.
The invasion has left the quiet neighborhood on edge. Residents are now contemplating upgrades to their security measures, grappling with the unsettling reality that such a violent act occurred so close to home.
“These are things that we just don’t expect to happen, and we hope never to happen, but when it happens right in front of your house, that is way too close for comfort,” said neighbor Beatrice Martins. “That is what, frankly, has made us reconsider all of our safety protocols around the house.”
Following the incident, Trammel's wife was taken to the hospital and has since been released, currently recovering from her injuries.
As of now, police have not released any descriptions of the suspects, and no arrests have been made. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the Redlands Police Department.
This incident is a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of home invasions and the profound impact they can have on families and communities. The Trammel family’s experience underscores the importance of vigilance and preparedness in ensuring home safety.
Source: KTLA
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