PORT-OF-SPAIN – Spiritual Baptist minister Rosalyn Lutchman was praying in bed when seven thieves broke down the front door.

And for half-an-hour, the criminals "shopped" at her home. They stole everything of value.

One of the thieves was a young woman, who spent her time trying on jewellry, shades and clothing, and modelled for her accomplices, investigators said.

All seven were still at large up to late Thursday night, despite the arrival of a police helicopter and police officers who searched the forest around Lutchman's home at King's Avenue, Caparo.

The 66-year-old Lutchman, a minister with the New Jerusalem New Baptist Church, said that shortly before 1 a.m.: "I was in bed, praying to my God when I hear this big noise. I got up and came out the bedroom to find these six men and one woman walking in."

Lutchman said the men beat her son Sheldon, 40, and grandson, Stephan, 22, who were dragged from their bedrooms.

While some were beating, she said, others were carting off the television, VCR, stereo and radio.

Lutchman said she cried for her grandson, who only last week was released from hospital after spending three months being treated for a jaw broken during an attack by thieves.

"I asked them why they beating the boy if they get everything. They put a gun to his head and one pulled out a knife ready to stab him. And all this time this young girl just parading through my house, putting on things and modelling like she in some store."

Police said they did not find the thieves despite searching for two hours. (Trinidad Express)