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Brighton Heights mother: Masked men tied up my cousin, nephew and 3 children

PITTSBURGH — Masked men forced their way inside a Brighton Heights home this week and tied up five people, including three children.

Only Channel 11's Rick Earle talked to the terrified mother on Wednesday.

"I wasn't home but was coming home. The things I had heard happened, it was very frightening," said the mother.

The woman said the home invasion happened while she briefly left to pick up her husband.

As many as five men stormed into the home with guns drawn, claiming to be police officers, she said.

"They laid everyone down and said, 'Police. Freeze.  Get on the ground,'" said the mother.

The woman said they duct taped her cousin, nephew and three children, ages 9, 6 and 2.

A neighbor who has a surveillance camera mounted on her front door captured video of two guys crossing the street and entering the home.  Police are reviewing the video.

Police said they are very concerned because the men claimed to be police officers.

"I guess they thought I may have had money.  They took my safe, and I had nothing in it but personal belongings," the woman said.

The woman and her family have lived in the neighborhood for three years and never had a problem.  Now, they're looking for a new place to live.