Woman babysitting 9-month-old gets tied up, robbed in Fresno home invasion

A 40-year-old woman babysitting a 9-month-old baby was tied up and robbed in a home-invasion incident in Fresno Friday morning, police said.

Lt. Joe Gomez said the woman was alone in a residence in the 400 block of West Fir Avenue when she heard a knock on the door after 9 a.m. She opened the front door to see a man dressed in a fluorescent green T-shirt with black lettering that said “PGE.” He said he was from Pacific Gas and Electric Co., so she let him in.

He asked for a rag to clean some gas lines, so she found one. The suspect then put the cloth around her throat and pointed a gun at her, demanded money or he said he would kill her. He pulled out plastic zip ties and tied her hands behind her back and bound her ankles together.

The babysitter told him about a shoebox in a bedroom that contained $12,500, which was money she had saved over the years from babysitting. The suspect grabbed the cash, plus some gold jewelry. Before fleeing, he unbound the woman’s ankles because she had cooperated.

The man either fled south through the backyard or east on Fir Avenue, Gomez said. He is described as a Latino, about 45 years old, 5 feet 10 inches in height and weighing about 185 pounds. He has light-colored hair and facial freckles. The shirt is distinctive in color and lettering.

Both the woman and the infant were checked by medical personnel and were determined to be physically unharmed.

Anyone with information on the suspect can call 559-498-STOP. That is the Crimestoppers number and callers can remain anonymous. A cash reward is offered for information that results in the man’s arrest.

Gomez advised homeowners and renters to first call police before letting any suspicious person into a residence.

This story was originally published February 19, 2016 at 12:45 PM with the headline "Woman babysitting 9-month-old gets tied up, robbed in Fresno home invasion."