Robbers kidnap couple, hold son hostage

ATLANTA, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Robbers in Lilburn, Ga., an Atlanta suburb, held a kidnapped couple's son hostage while demanding jewelry from their store, police said.

Gwinnett County police said several armed robbers forced their way into the family's home about 9 a.m. Wednesday and ordered the couple, whose names were not released, to take them to the downtown Atlanta jewelry store they own, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Thursday.

Officer David Schiralli, a police spokesman, said one of the suspects remained in the home with the couple's 15-year-old son.

"(The robbers) said if they didn't comply, they would hurt their son," Schiralli said.

Schiralli said the robbers fled after the husband escaped and called 911. He said the suspect who remained behind with the teenager also fled and the boy was able to free himself from his bindings before police arrived at the home.

It was not imnmediatgely determined whether anything was taken from the jewelry store. No suspects were identified or arrested.