AURORA, Colo. -- It only took three minutes for three thieves to break into the home of two Aurora military veterans and take guns, laptops and jewelry including a Marine Corps diamond ring.
"We were targeted," said Marine vet Rob Gwizdalski. "It wasn't amateur hour."
It was January 21 when Rob walked into his home off South Dawson Way to find someone had broken in. Security cameras picked up movement and recorded what happened in the living room. The thieves broke into the house in the middle of the day.
"They got away with at least $5,000 worth of stuff," said Rob's wife, Karen, who is a disabled Navy veteran.
The crooks posed as utility workers, even placing utility flags in the backyard to make it look like they had permission to be on the property. Police believe the burglars chose the house for a reason.
"We had military flags flying outside the house," Karen said. "The detectives said that's what triggered them to know that we were a military family and that a lot of military families have weapons in their homes."
So Rob took the flags down.
"Not to be able to put something you're proud of on the front of your house because it makes it a target is unfair," Rob said as he started to cry.
One of the thieves looked right into the security camera and police told Rob people were already calling the tip line.
Rob has a message for the thieves.
"Get a job. There is no reason to make a living robbing people."
If you have seen the surveillance video and have a tip for Aurora police call Sergeant Michelson at (303) 627-3152.
