Masked gunmen pistol-whip, rob Glendale couple

Masked gunmen pistol-whipped a Glendale couple in their home Tuesday before robbing them of thousands of dollars in cash and jewelry, police said.

The gunmen entered the Royal Canyon home at about 9 p.m. in the 1700 block of Greenbriar Road through an unlocked door, Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

Detectives believe that the wife and husband, in their 50s and 60s, respectively, were targeted, Lorenz added.

During the home-invasion robbery, the two gunmen restrained the couple and pistol-whipped them, causing bruises, he said.

The couple then followed the gunmen’s demands to turn over thousands of dollars in cash, jewelry and other valuables, Lorenz said.

Police released few details about the robbery, but Lorenz said the couple called police soon after the break-in.

Police don’t believe the incident is connected to the recent Burbank robbery in which three armed men posed as FBI agents to force themselves into a family’s home and steal $20,000 in cash.

Glendale Police Chief Ron De Pompa has expressed concerns about the recent spike in robberies so far this year in the city.

As of June, 56 robberies were reported, up by 19 compared with the same time last year.

De Pompa has warned residents to set safeguards to avoid becoming a target for criminals, urging the public to watch for any suspicious activity in their neighborhood.

Detectives are looking for the public’s help with details about Tuesday’s robbery, or additional information on suspicious vehicles or people seen at about 9 p.m. in the neighborhood, Lorenz said.

Anyone with information on the robbery may call the Glendale Police Department robbery unit at (818) 548-3987 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.