Violent robbers who armed themselves with knives and a wooden pole face 10 years imprisonment for their crime.
Idir Brahimi, 23, Amar Brahimi, 21 and Marvin Masangomai, 22 from Croydon have been found guilty of “aggravated burglary” following the incident last April.
Detective Sergeant Andy Pike, the investigating officer, said: “This was an organised gang who broke into the house, without knowing if anyone was at home or not. When they did come across the victims they were more than willing to use violence and threats to subdue and scare them.”
The men entered a home in Croydon via a window at around 12:30pm. They then bound, punched and kicked the several occupants inside before making off through the back door.
Their loot, made up of a number of smart phones, a laptop, two tablet computers, £460 in cash plus wallets and bankcards was quickly recovered after occupants of the home gave chase and took down the license plate of the getaway car.
Members of the public also called police to Attlee Close, Croydon after seeing a number of men jumping over fences and hiding in bushes at around 12:39pm, minutes after the robbery took place.
Police stopped three men matching the description of the burglars and retrieved a bag containing the stolen property. They were arrested and later charged.
Detective Sergeant Andy Pike, the investigating officer, said: “I’d like to thank all those members of the public, whose quick thinking and public spirit led officers to make really swift arrests in this case.
“These men are now in prison for 10 years each.
“They stole a huge amount of property during this short and targeted burglary, moving quickly from room to room. Burglary is a really distressing crime, losing valuables and items of huge sentimental value from your own home can have a devastating effect.”