A La Jolla woman was watching TV Sunday night when suddenly she heard noises.
Wandering out of her bedroom to check, 82-year-old Barbara Bobbie Philips said she came face to face with an intruder.
"He grabbed me by the neck and of course I screamed and he said, 'Be quiet,'" she said.
Police are searching for two men, possibly three, who invaded the woman’s home in the La Jolla area on Sunday night, ransacked the residence and stole belongings.
The incident happened in the 1400 block of Rodeo Drive just after 11:30 p.m.
She said one of the intruders sat her in a little chair and had a giant flashlight that he shined in her face, telling her to put her head down and not move.
Another man was ransacking the home as the first man continued to watch her, she said.
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"This one, I will say, sounds crazy, but he was polite, (saying), 'Now ma'am, careful ma'am. Don't get upset. Just take it calm,'" she said. "The other one was going through all my stuff he was screaming, 'Where is everything? Don't you lie to me. Don't you lie.'"
Another man was ransacking the home as the first man continued to watch her, police said.
The suspects took off with several belongings, including four TVs, cash, jewelry, silverware and drawers in which it was kept.
"I was frightened. I won't say I wasn't," she said. "The only thing that really bothers me is that silly chest they ruined by taking it."
She said the entire ordeal lasted about 15 minutes, though it felt like forever. Before they left, one of the intruders yanked her necklace off, telling her to sit still.
"Of course it hurts and my husband had given me the necklace and I treasured it," she said.
Philips could not provide suspect information other than the fact they were both males.
Anyone with information is asked to call the San Diego Police Department’s robbery unit at 619-531-2299 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 888-580-8477.
A $1,000 reward is offered to anyone with information leading to an arrest.
