Police: West Babylon residents robbed at gunpoint

Police are searching for suspects involved in a gunpoint home-invasion robbery Thursday night in West Babylon.

Several robbers herded five adults and five children into a bedroom and attacked a male caretaker before fleeing with cash and jewelry, Suffolk police said.

Detectives believe the residence was targeted for burglary. The home invasion on Newkirt Avenue was reported in a 911 call at 9:24 p.m.

The caretaker was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.

Police said none of the other occupants of the home -- a man, three women and children ages 2 to 9 -- were injured. Another male resident of the home was at work when the robbery occurred.

It was not immediately clear how much jewelry and cash were taken. Police said they are looking for three or four suspects, all of whom were armed during the home invasion.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call First Squad detectives at 631-854-8152. All calls will remain confidential.

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By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”