Police Allegedly Raid Wrong Home

September 1, 2007 (WPVI) -- A mother and son in South Philadelphia say their house was raided by police overnight. But they say they've done nothing wrong... and they think it was all a mistake!

The door had to be repaired this morning after police reportedly rammed it during a raid on Norma Saunders South Philadelphia home Friday night. Her bedrooms were ransacked, drawers overturned and kitchen cupboards emptied onto the floor. According to a search warrant, police were looking for drugs and weapons.

Away for a family reunion at the time, Saunders returned when her alarm company called. When she returned she found the security system was ripped from the wall.

Norma tells Action News, "When I came home my neighbors ran up to me and said, 'Norma they had the wrong house. We tried to tell them they had the wrong house.'"

"This has never been a drug house. We've never had a problem with this home at all. So this I knew this had to be a major mistake," said Reverend Tobin Young.

Neighbors say police simultaneously raided another house on the block and placed several people in handcuffs.

68-year-old Saunders, a great-grandparent and retired veterans hospital nurse with heart problems, contends she has no dealings with drugs, nor does her 50-year-old son who works security at Abington Hospital while pursuing a college degree in computer science.

They share the house. He too was away on vacation.

Norma Saunders says she feels like a good citizen whose rights have been violated by those who are sworn to protect her. At this point she's not sure if she feels comfortable living in her own home anymore.

The warrant doesn't specify what was seized beyond the word, "proof." The Saunders filed a report with police.

Action News is still awaiting police comment on the raid.

(Copyright 2007 by Action News and 6abc. All Rights Reserved.)

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