DETECTIVES investigating an armed robbery in which a masked gang stole thousands of pounds from a County Durham family have recovered a vehicle believed to have been used in the raid.

Four knife-wielding men made off with more than £6,000 after they smashed their way into a property in Redworth village, near Newton Aycliffe, and demanded cash from a couple as they watched television.

The gang assaulted a 50-year-old man and threatened his wife with a knife, before fleeing the scene in a maroon Jeep Cherokee, around 9.30pm on Monday, September 24.

The terrifying raid was witnessed by one of the couple’s children.

Police yesterday said a vehicle, believed to have been stolen from Sunderland and used in the robbery, was found partially burnt out in South Street, Shildon.

Detective Inspector Phil Curtis, from Darlington CID, said one man had been spoken to in connection with the raid, but no arrests had yet been made.

He said: “This was a quite brutal attack and we believe the family has been targeted with those responsible having information telling them that there could be money in the home.

“They had no hesitation in assaulting the victim.

“We are following up a number of lines of enquiry and have had a lot of information from the public.

“However, if anyone witnessed the incident or knows something, then I urge them to contact us immediately.”

Anyone who can help should call 101 and ask for Det Insp Curtis at Darlington CID.