Masked men with gun told Windsor couple they were police before home invasion: WPS

Police have arrested three men they say posed as police officers during a home invasion on Windsor's east end that injured a couple in their 70s.

Officers say those three suspects were helped by a fourth man, Nicholas McCullough, who investigators are trying to track down. 

The couple were inside their home the night of March 18 when two masked men with a gun forced their way inside the home on Aspenshore Avenue, according to police.

Police say the 72-year-old man was injured after trying to fight off one of the intruders who pulled a gun on the couple. 

Investigators say one of the intruders threw the 71-year-old woman to the ground before taking jewlery from the home. 

Police say it was a targeted act

Major Crimes investigator Sgt. Darius Goze said that it was a targeted home invasion and that the couple did not know the suspects. 

"It was calculated and deliberate," said Goze, who wouldn't say why police believe the suspects targeted the couple.

"Based on a lot of investigative techniques as well as several judicial authorizations that we have applied for and were granted, that's how we came to this conclusion."

The fourth suspect, McCullough, is currently wanted on a Canada-wide warrant issued last month for a list of charges that include multiple counts of assault. 

McCullough was on parole as part of six-year, seven-month sentence for aggravated assault, possession of a prohibited weapon, discharging a restricted firearm with intent, and failure to comply with probation.

Suspects claimed to be police

The three people arrested and the fourth suspect are all facing charges of false representation of a peace officer.

"The suspects ... said 'we're the police' or something to that effect," said Goze.

When asked, Goze said there are a few things people can do to confirm if people saying they're police are actually officers. 

"They can do their diligence, you know, maybe look out the window before they answer the door. A lot of people now do have Ring cameras as well. So they can utilize that to make sure that the individuals at the door are known to them," he said. 

"If you're not too sure, you can certainly call the police and hopefully we can get information for you."