Masked raiders broke into a house in a Sussex village and tied up a retired couple.
Three men wearing ski masks and woollen gloves went through a downstairs door into the couple's house in Thakeham, near Storrington, at 7.15pm on Thursday.
They demanded money from the couple, who handed over what they could find, then tied them up and escaped.
Police believe they may have used a vehicle parked further up the road.
Police are appealing for witnesses, particularly people using the Kingdom Hall in Storrington Road, which was busy at the time.
The three suspects were all about 5ft 8in tall and police believe they may have dumped their masks and gloves near the scene.
A search was launched using the police helicopter, a dog unit and ten officers.
The couple were shocked by their ordeal but did not need hospital treatment.
Anyone with information - particularly anybody who saw an unfamiliar car leaving the area at speed - should call Detective Constable Andy Luczkowski at Steyning CID on 0845 6070999.
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