NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (September 3, 2025) — Two masked men, one armed with a gun, broke into an apartment at a domestic violence shelter early Wednesday, tying up residents and stealing thousands of dollars in high-end clothing.
UPDATE: CCTV video from outside 21 Fountain Place shows 2 suspects moving towards the building entrance (note the time stamp is off by about an hour).
The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. at 21 Fountain Place, where the intruders demanded money and ransacked the unit. One man brandished a firearm, and the pair used wires from a nearby workout machine to bind one victim. They smashed a laptop belonging to one victim as she lay on her bed.
The apartment serves as transitional housing for domestic violence survivors and is home to a single mother, her three teenage children — one daughter and two sons — one son’s girlfriend was also at the apartment. The building is in the process of being converted into a full shelter.
The perpetrators arrived prepared with two large laundry bags, which they filled with valuable clothing items from one young man’s wardrobe. The stolen items, estimated at around $10,000 in value, included $1,000 jeans and a $500 sweater. A phone was initially stolen but discarded nearby.
No one was physically injured during the ordeal. The terrified family waited approximately 10 minutes after the robbers fled before calling authorities.
Surveillance footage from an outside camera captured the suspects, who kept their masks up throughout the intrusion. The interior system was set to live monitoring only, with no recording capability.
The building’s security guard allegedly allowed the masked intruders entry without proper verification. The incident has raised serious questions about building security.
New Rochelle Police responded promptly.
The shelter is run by the Westchester County Department of Social Services. Westchester County issued a statement to WCBS.
Early on the morning of September 3, a home invasion occurred in a unit at 21 Fountain Place in New Rochelle. Two men, falsely claiming to be residents, entered the building and committed theft and assault. The New Rochelle Police Department was contacted and promptly responded to the scene. No medical attention was required by the residents. The Westchester County Department of Social Services is working with police, the state, and the building operator to ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of the residents.
Investigators are reviewing any available video evidence and canvassing the area for leads. The motive remains unclear, but the targeted theft of specific valuable items suggests the robbers may have had prior knowledge of the apartment’s contents.
The investigation is ongoing, with no arrests reported as of Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the New Rochelle Police Department at (914) 654-2300.
NRPD STATEMENT
The New Rochelle Police Department is actively investigating a burglary that occurred Wednesday September 3, 2025, at 21 Fountain Place, at about 12:42 AM, where two male suspects entered an occupied apartment, displayed a handgun, and stole high-end clothing. There were multiple residents present in the apartment, some of whom were asleep at the time.
According to reports, the two suspects entered the apartment, brandished a handgun, and proceeded to a bedroom where they targeted a collection of high-end clothing. During the incident, one male resident was restrained by the suspects. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the residents.
New Rochelle Detectives believe the suspects targeted this apartment and it seems to be an isolated incident. Detectives are actively pursuing this lead, along with others, to identify and apprehend the suspects. The investigation remains ongoing, with officers working diligently to gather evidence and follow up on all potential leads.
Anyone with information related to this incident to contact the New Rochelle Police Department at (914) 654-2300. Tips can be submitted anonymously at (914) 632-COPS. The department is committed to ensuring the safety of our community and holding those responsible for this crime accountable.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.