Businessman Karan Sidhu and eight members of his family are trying to recover from their harrowing experience of July 2 when four armed men burst into their Surrey home near 160th and 59th Avenue, terrorizing them and ransacking their place. Fortunately, nobody was physically harmed.
The four goons, believed to be three white males and one East Asian male, between the ages of 20 and 30, made off with a safe, a projector, a computer and some jewelery.
Surrey RCMP informed the media about the case only on Wednesday because they felt that “someone in the public may be of assistance” at this stage, Sgt. Roger Morrow told The VOICE.
Sidhu’s wife, who didn’t want her first name used, told The VOICE on Thursday: “We are feeling much better. … It’s been traumatic for everybody, but we are kind of getting out of it now and trying to talk more and getting out more. We’re working on it.”
She said that it had been especially traumatic for her mother-in-law, who has a heart condition.
She said that the family was looking forward to a summer vacation this year because last year they were busy with their five-year-old son’s chemotheraphy treatment for a brain tumour.
She said: “His treatment was over just two months ago and couple of weeks ago (we were told) the tumour is not growing anymore.” So the family was feeling optimistic.
But now, after the home invasion experience, they were feeling “all messed up” and didn’t know what to do.
Karan Sidhu, who runs a poultry business, told The VOICE: “We’re trying to get some counselling right now. We’re not feeling good right now for sure.”
The victims inluded Sidhu’s four kids, a nephew and his parents.
According to Surrey RCMP, on July 2, “there was a knock at the front door. As grandparents, parents and (five young) children roamed about the residence, a five-year-old boy answered the door and was met by two men who demanded entry.
“Brandishing a firearm, the family members were gathered into one room with the two suspects claiming they were Immigration officials looking for illegal immigrants. Wearing either masks or balaclavas, it was immediately apparent this was merely a ruse. Now inside, a firearm was pointed at one woman to the extent that she told police that she was praying that the suspect didn’t pull the trigger.
“Moments later, two other suspects entered the home and with their number now at four, the offenders terrorized this family, yelling and swearing at them that should they move they would be shot. These dramatic events developed for what is believed to be one hour in duration. One of the children was so upset he was physically ill. One of the elders too was feeling the effects. A heart patient, she had to be given water to help mitigate the ordeal.
“ … As this event unfolded, threats were made demanding a sizeable amount of money believed to be stored within the home. As the threats of violence continued, the suspects searched the home.
“Eventually the suspects located a family safe and it along with a television were carried in to the garage where the family’s 2006 Lexus was loaded up with the suspects fleeing the scene. The vehicle was recovered in south Surrey on Croydon Drive a short time later. A vehicle of interest that police are also seeking has been described as a red four-door sedan.”
One of the white suspects is said to be 25 to 30 years old, clean shaven with short blonde hair. He was wearing cream-colored shorts and a long-sleeved shirt.
Other suspects wore a variety of clothes: baggy pants, a jacket, and cargo shorts.
Two of the four individuals wore a mask or a balaclava.
Police are seeking anyone with any information that may assist in solving this crime. You can contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or phone CrimeStoppers.
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