Thieves Rob Man of $100,000 in Gems

Three men broke into an apartment in Paradise Hills on Thursday afternoon, taped the hands and feet of the man living there and robbed him of more than $100,000 in assorted gems and precious stones, police said.

The victim, who lives in the 3000 block of Alta View Drive, was surprised by three men about 2 p.m., Sgt. Fred England of the San Diego Police Department said.

The men knocked on the door, pushed their way in, held a knife to the victim’s throat and taped his hands and feet before demanding his automatic teller card, England said. They demanded the code, “which was wrong, or he gave them the wrong number,” after which they ransacked the apartment, England added.

The thieves stole a .22-caliber pistol, a .22-caliber rifle and a footlocker containing more than $100,000 worth of jewels, England said. They taped the victim’s eyes and mouth before leaving the apartment.