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Police: Bedford Hills Home Invasion, Fire Could Be Connected

BEDFORD, N.Y. – Bedford police continue to investigate the home invasion that took place at 135 Broad Brook Road in Bedford Hills on Saturday night and the subsequent fire reported early Monday morning that destroyed a barn on that same 20-acre property.

Police said it has not been determined whether there is a connection between the two incidents, but they are continuing to interview the residents of the home for additional information.

In a press conference on Monday afternoon, Bedford Police Chief Wiliam Hayes said, "I think having the two incidents at the same address over a two-day period warrants a close look on our part."

On Saturday, Bedford Police responded to a panic alarm at 9:41 p.m., followed immediately by a 911 call from the female resident of the home, who, Hayes said, told officers there was an armed intruder in the house.

Upon arrival, Bedford Police said officers encountered the caller's husband, who said he had been tied up in the house's garage. The man told officers he was confronted by an armed individual who approached him from a wooded area while he was smoking in his driveway, tied him up and continued on to enter the home, police said.

Members of the Bedford Police Department maintained phone contact with the female caller who said she was locked in the upstairs bedroom and was unsure whether the intruder was still inside, Hayes said.

She also told police that her three children, all under the age of 8, and a housekeeper were still in the home.

Police quickly established a perimeter, Hayes said, and the Westchester County Department of Public Safety Special Response Team went into the home to safely remove those inside and conduct a search, Hayes said.  The intruder had already left the home, he said.

"This is a very active police investigation and the department continues to seek leads and evidence in solving this case," Hayes said.

The intruder was described as a male, dressed all in black with a mask on his face and he displayed what police think to be either a small caliber or BB gun.

Hayes said he had also been told that the weapon was used in a struggle with the female resident.

The only known stolen item was the male homeowner’s wallet, which contained an undetermined amount of cash.

Hayes said other homeowners in the area should not be concerned about their personal safety in regard to this incident. "We have, based on the residents, reason to believe that this home was targeted at this time by this particular individual and that other homeowners in the area should not feel threatened," he said.

After the house was thoroughly checked, Hayes said, two of the residents were transported to local hospitals where they were treated and immediately released.  The mother was treated for a scratch on her abdomen, he said.

Hayes said the fire that destroyed a barn at the residence was reported at 4:27 a.m. Monday morning.

Hayes described the barn's overall damage to be a complete loss, but said no animals or people were harmed in the blaze.

Police are continuing to investigate the fire with the cooperation of the Bedford Hills Fire Department and the Zone 5 Cause and Origin team.

There is no known connection at this time between the two incidents, police said, but this aspect of the case is under investigation. 

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