Following a home invasion in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx on Dec. 20, in which two grandparents and two grandchildren were tied up and robbed at gunpoint, a GoFundMe page has been set-up to help the family get through the holiday season.

 

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance identifying the individuals seen in the attached video who are sought in connection to an assault and robbery that occurred in Morris Heights, in the 46th precinct.

 

It was reported to police that on Monday, Dec. 20, at approximately 5 p.m., inside an apartment located at 1860 Billingsley Terrace, a 60-year-old female victim answered the door for who appeared to be a delivery person, holding a box. The individual, who said he was from UPS, was wearing a brown winter hat with “UPS” on the front.

 

When the victim opened the door, the individual pushed her inside the apartment and revealed that he had a silver revolver inside the box. Once inside, a second individual joined him. The two then demanded, at gunpoint, that the 60-year-old woman, her 63-year-old husband and their grandchildren, an 8-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl, use zip ties to bind themselves. The two assailants proceeded to remove property, which included two iPhones, an iPad and personal documents, from the location.

 

They also gained access to a safe and a children’s piggy bank, removing more than $7,500 in cash. They then fled the apartment with the stolen property and cash. The four victims were not injured.

 

The first individual is described as a male with a light complexion and a medium build. He was last seen wearing a brown winter hat with “UPS” on the front, a brown face mask, a brown jacket, a green hooded sweatshirt, black pants and black shoes.

 

The second individual is described as a male with a dark complexion and a medium build. He was last seen wearing a black face mask, a black, hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and black shoes.

 

The surveillance video in which both men are seen, obtained from the incident location, is attached.

 

Karina Valerio later launched a GoFundMe page, appealing for help to ensure her children enjoyed a happy Christmas, writing, “Unfortunately, it is the holiday season and some of us do online shopping expecting shopping to be easier, especially with COVID. The last thing in mind was a robber impersonating a UPS worker. We may have lost a lot, but my parents and kids are alive. They are all traumatized; no one should have to experience this moment, especially two little babies.”

 

She added, “I’m completely heartbroken, makes me cry every time my daughter says, ‘I hope I don’t have a bad Christmas,’ followed by me having to lie and tell them the bad guys got caught so they won’t be scared, which does not help her and my son keeps looking over his shoulder. They don’t deserve this at all, and as a mother, I really thought about making this [page] because of embarrassment to ask for help, but as Christmas is days away, I would love for my kids to forget about this and get better, as everything was stolen from us. Even 1$ helps. Gifts are also accepted. From my family to yours, thanks for your time!”

 

Anyone wishing to contribute can do so here.