Woman bound by zip ties during Lehigh Acres home invasion robbery

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla.- Authorities are searching for two men in a violent home invasion robbery on Gardner Avenue Tuesday morning.

The victim was in bed just before 7 a.m. when she heard a loud banging at the front door of her home and two men yelling “police.”

As she was walking out of her bedroom, the victim was met by the two suspects, both wearing black masks, black sweatsuits and black gloves, officials said.

The men pushed her back onto the bed and bound both her hands and ankles with zip ties, telling her not to move or she’d be hurt, authorities said. One of the suspects held a silver knife, with a red handle, against her throat, while the second man ransacked the house.

The suspects made off with a handgun, jewelry, four designer purses and other items during the robbery, authorities said.

The men even removed the woman’s wedding ring from her hand before they left, officials added.

“I was so sorry for her,” said Raymond Hunter Burgess, a neighbor of the victim. “She was half crying and half talking. She’s a sweet lady, real sweet lady. Should have never happened to her.”

Both men spoke Spanish during the robbery, in a possibly Cuban dialect, according to authorities.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.  Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by texting a tip to CRIMES (274637) Keyword: REWARD.