Gwinnett Police 'Extra Vigilant' After Home Invasion

The Gwinnett County Police Department has stepped up targeted patrols following a home invasion and sexual assault in unincorporated Lilburn last week.

On Feb. 13, two men forced their way into a house, even though the family -- a man, his wife and his mother -- was at home. The men stole $100,000 in jewelry and watches, and raped the younger woman.

"It is fair to say that we are extra vigilant" following the incident, Cpl. Jake Smith of the GCPD said.

"We don't see this in Gwinnett," Smith said. "Violence like that with someone not into drugs is rare."

The suspects wore gloves and masks the entire time they were in the house, and no one saw their vehicle. What the police do know is that the suspects are black males. One is about five feet and seven inches tall, the other is about six feet and two inches, Smith said. They are of average build, and one is thought to be between 40 and 45 years old.

The victims are Indian, and the homeowner also owns a jewelry store in Snellville, although the valuables taken from the home was the family's personal jewelry and watches.

In some respects, the home invasion resembles a recent series of burglaries and robberies around the metro area that targeted Indians, but in some aspects, it's different, and police don't think it's the same perpetrators.

"Cobb County got pretty much the whole crew," Smith said. "It matches those, but we don't think it's the same group."

Detectives aren't releasing many details, Smith said, as they continue to investigate.