BRAINTREE, Mass. — An online video gaming dispute may have led to an armed home invasion involving three men on Tuesday in Braintree, authorities said.
Police responded to a residence on Bickford Road just after 7:30 p.m. where they found two residents outside the home.
One of the victims, who had minor facial injuries, said he was assaulted by three men who had entered his home. He said that he answered a knock on the door and was immediately assaulted, according to police.
Both the victim and the other resident described one of the men as being armed with a pistol in his waistband.
The suspects spent a short time in the home before leaving in a small black sedan, possibly a BMW and referred to the victim by name, police said.
A motive for the crime is being investigated, however, police said it may be related to online gaming and other online activity.
The suspects were described as three “tall” Black males in their late teens or early 20s.
“Parents need to know that anybody that their children are communicating with over the internet could be potential predators,” said Robert Siciliano, CEO of ProtectNowLLC.com.
It’s a warning to families after Braintree Police say an armed home invasion was likely connected to online gaming.
Robert Siciliano is a security awareness expert who teaches people to avoid becoming a victim of a crime often through the internet.
“Online gaming is communities of people worldwide and those communities worldwide are both children and adults,” said Siciliano. “And if your child is playing with other children and/or teens or adults, it’s likely they know who your child’s name is and potentially where they live.”
He says it’s another reminder to parents to be aware of the risks if their children are connecting with people online even just through a game.
“Parents need to be able to explain to their children that there is risk in online gaming, that you can’t give out any personal or sensitive information, that doesn’t just automatically trust anybody you’re playing with because they could be a bad guy,” said Siciliano.
Anyone who recognizes the suspects or vehicle, or has captured the vehicle on video, is asked to call the Braintree Police Department at 781-794-8620 or submit a tip to Tips@Braintreema.gov.
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