Police searching for home invasion suspects who beat, robbed Peninsula woman

HILLSBOROUGH (KTVU) -- Police on Friday were investigating a home invasion robbery that occurred this week on the Peninsula where investigators say three intruders pistol whipped a woman and abused her dog before fleeing from the home with at least $500,000 in jewelry and high-end designer watches.

Investigators have released a sketch of one of three robbers they describe as an African-American male who targeted the woman while she was home alone with her dog late Wednesday night between 11 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. 

Police said one of the suspects was believed to be between 20 and 25 years old, 5-feet-10-inches tall and wore a scarf that possibly had the letter "D" on it in pink lettering in old English style script.

"They hit me with their gun in the back and held a gun to my head and chest," she said. "They kicked my 17-year-old Westie across the room and held a gun to his head."

The dog, whose name is Finn and is deaf, was hurled against a wall but suffered no major injuries. The men demanded money and asked where the safe was.

Sarah said that she begged the intruders not to hurt her beloved pet dog.

"He said 'Shut up or I'll kill you because I have nothing to lose,'" said Sarah, who is in her 60s. She said the intruders stole several Rolex watches, one valued at a few hundred thousand dollars. Also stolen was Sarah's diamond-and-blue-sapphire wedding ring.

"It's hard for it to sink in that it actually happened," she said, adding that she's still in shock.

Police were able to review surveillance video from a neighbor's camera which showed that the suspects' getaway car was a dark colored van. Police said they hope other neighbors come forward with video from that night.

"I've been in Hillsborough 28 years now and I can count on one hand the amount of times we've had a crime like this," police Capt. Doug Davis said.

Police say the suspects entered the home through an open garage.

Sarah's son had left in a hurry just minutes before the home invasion to take his father to the hospital after the older man fell.

Investigators said the robbery may be connected to a similar robbery in Portola Valley.

Said Capt. Davis said: "We're looking at a very unusual crime to happen in this area and for it to happen twice within a week or two really draws a lot of suspicion to it. So we'll be digging down into those details to determine if in fact the MO's are similar."

Sarah suffered some bruising but said she is thankful to be alive.

"We're definitely going to make sure everything is locked!" she said, as she stroked her pet dog. "But I'm confident police will catch these guys before they strike again."

By KTVU reporter Tara Moriarty.