For seniors Jake and Dorothy, the nightmare began with a startling sound coming from the back door of their Abbotsford home.

The couple, who asked that their identities be protected, were having a peaceful afternoon when a group of masked thugs dressed head-to-toe in black and armed with a metal bar stormed the house on Tuesday.

“There was this terrible racket outside the back door and I went to check and these three young men burst in,” 77-year-old Dorothy told CTV News. “They kept pushing me. I fell against a bunch of junk there – tools – and I fell on them.”

The robbers tied Dorothy up, threatened her and went for her 79-year-old husband, who had been resting when the home invasion began.

The men tried to tell Jake they were police officers, but he didn’t buy it.

“Don’t give me that. Police don’t wear masks,” Jake responded.

Jake’s hands were tied behind his back and a pillow case was thrown over his head, but he managed to wiggle free.

“I pulled the pillow case off and I shoved this one guy, bouncing him against the wall,” he said. “The next thing I know I got the two of them on my back.”

The burglars kneed him repeatedly, causing bruises on Jake’s arms and cracking a few of his ribs. Despite the pain, his main concern was for his wife.

“I kept calling her name,” Jake told CTV News.

After the robbers finally left, the couple managed to free themselves and call police. They were taken to hospital shaken and suffering minor injuries.

Police are investigating, and say the home invasion is even more disturbing due to the items that were stolen.

The thieves took hidden and locked guns and ammunition that belonged to a relative of the couple who’s part of a gun club.

Nine guns in total ranging from hand guns to rifles were stolen, along with thousands of rounds of ammunition. Police say all of the guns were registered.

“We don’t have any issues about the legality of the firearms. Our concern now is they are not with their owner,” said Const. Ian MacDonald.

“Obviously, the worst case scenario is it ends up in the hands of other criminals, specifically gangsters or people who are drug-involved.”

No other valuables were taken, and investigators believe the burglars had some prior knowledge of what was in the house.

Jake and Dorothy said they’ve already increased their home security and for now, they’re just happy to be safe.

“I never figured I’d have to go through something like that. I hope I never have to again,” Jake said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Abbotsford Police Department at 604-859-5225 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 if they wish to remain anonymous.

With a report from CTV British Columbia’s Michele Brunoro