Police detectives were able to gather some DNA evidence from the scene of an armed home invasion in Barrington late last month, but a lengthy backlog of work at the state crime lab will leave local investigators waiting for months to see if the evidence could help break open the case.

Barrington Police Chief John LaCross praised his detectives for their work at the crime scene — a single family home on Lake Avenue in Barrington. But he cautioned that it will be some time before the investigators will receive results from the DNA tests.

"Unfortunately, the turnaround time could be four to six months," said Chief LaCross. "That's if there is a match in the DNA evidence... We're still working on this. It's still an open case."

The armed home invasion occurred Sunday, Feb. 21 at about 8:45 p.m. Police said the home's occupants — a mother and her 23-year-old son — were inside when someone knocked on the door. The suspects reportedly waited for someone to answer the door, and then forced their way inside.

One of the intruders — police said there may have been two white men and two black men — was allegedly brandishing a shotgun. The men screamed and yelled at the residents, ordering them to give them cash.

Chief LaCross said that the homeowner tried to fight back at one point during the invasion and was punched in the head. Police said the intruders tied up the woman and her son, and then bolted from the home with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Police are asking anyone who may have more information to call the department's confidential tip line at 401-437-3933. People can also call the detectives directly at 401-437-3937.

Chief LaCross said the department has already received some tips, but "nothing solid."