Pubdate: Fri, 01 Dec 2006
Source: Surrey Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Surrey Leader
Contact:  http://www.surreyleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1236
Author: Dan Ferguson

INVADERS STORM THE WRONG ADDRESS

When they couldn't find the drugs they were after, two home invaders 
stole a Surrey man's art collection instead.

The pair forced their way into a house in North Surrey's Royal 
Heights neighbourhood about midnight on Saturday, demanding to know 
where the "dope" was.

After determining there were no drugs, they stole 15 limited-edition, 
signed wildlife prints worth about $20,000, including six by 
legendary artist Robert Bateman.

Kim (who asked that her last name not be used) said she assumed her 
fiance Ian had come back from working a late night shift when a knock 
at the door woke her up.

The sleepy woman unlocked the door without looking and turned her 
back to return to bed when a tall scruffy-looking Caucasian man with 
curly dark hair forced his way in and punched her in the head, 
knocking her down.

He was followed by a smaller man, also Caucasian with straight dark 
hair who held her down while the first ransacked the house, demanding 
to know where the drugs were.

"He kept going, where's the dope?" Kim told The Leader.

The smaller man was apologetic.

"He said, 'sorry, I hate doing this' ... he said he owed the guy (the 
tall man) money."

When the pair realized there were no drugs they took the prints and 
left after tying Kim up.

She quickly freed herself and called police.

Kim said her two children, aged seven and 11, were in the house at 
the time but slept through it all.

Other than a sore head, a stiff neck and some nightmares, Kim said 
she was unharmed.

Police believe the two crooks planned a drug rip-off, but got the 
wrong address. Ian, who has been collecting rare prints since the 
1980s, was relieved that Kim and the children were not seriously 
hurt, but was upset by the theft.

"It's a lot of money down the drain," Ian said.

He said his insurance doesn't cover the prints, which require a 
separate policy.

"It's like jewelry."

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Surrey 
RCMP at 604-599-0502 (mention police file number 06-147910) or if you 
wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine