Bedford Police: Owner Targeted in Home Invasion

An Saturday night was targeted, Bedford police said Monday.

"Based on the evidence, we have reason to believe this home was targeted this time, by this intruder and other homeowners in the area should have nothing to fear from this individual," said Police Chief William Hayes.

The intruder—dressed in black and masked—approached the home from a wooded area adjacent to the property, and encountered Leonardo LeBrun, the owner of the 20-acre property, smoking outside in his driveway. The intruder took Lebrun's wallet and tied him up in his garage, Hayes said at a Monday afternoon press conference.

At approximately 9:41 p.m. Bedford police responded to a panic alarm call from the residence and shortly after received a 911 call from Lara Lebrun, Leonardo's wife, who reported an armed intruder in the home where she, her three children and housekeeper were located.

Police maintained telephone contact with Lebrun while the Westchester County Special Response Team assembled around the perimeter of the home.

Lara Lebrun told police she was locked in an upstairs bedroom with one of her children on the second floor. The other Lebrun children were also on the second floor and the housekeeper was on a lower level. When police arrived, they determined the intruder had left the property. Nothing was apparently stolen aside from Leonardo Lebrun's wallet and an undetermined amount of cash.

Two individuals were taken to the hospital for treatment. Lara Lebrun sustained a minor injury to her abdomen from the struggle she had with the intruder and a discharge of what police believe to be a BB or handgun. The family returned to the home after the police had finished processing the scene, Hayes said

At this time police said they do not believe the invasion is connected to at the same property. The barn was an old structure with no electricity, said Hayes, and was destroyed by the fire. There were no horses in the barn at the time of the fire.

Police are staying in constant contact with the family to help maintain their safety, said Hayes.

"Certainly this is alarming—anytime anyone's home is invaded by an outsider is an alarming experience," said Hayes. He said they investigation was active and they planned to release additional information when it wouldn't compromise the quality of the investigation.

Check back with Patch for video of today's press conference.