SAN DIEGO - Authorities asked the public on Wednesday for help in identifying two men who forced their way into a Rancho Santa Fe home five days before Christmas, holding a housekeeper at gunpoint while stealing valuables and handcuffing her before fleeing.

The thieves, who were described as suntanned white men who appeared to be in their late 20s or early 30s, confronted the victim at the large house in the 5000 block of El Mirlo shortly after noon on Dec. 20, according to sheriff's officials.

After gathering jewelry and antiques, the bandits handcuffed the maid to a door to keep her from calling 911 and then fled the area in a blue Hyundai Elantra.

The housekeeper's children found her several hours later, and deputies freed her. She was unhurt, sheriff's Lt. Kenn Nelson said.

The robber who brandished the gun was described as being about 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, with wavy, graying black hair. His accomplice had straight shoulder-length blond hair framing his gaunt, thin-nosed face and appeared to be about 5 feet 8 inches tall and 155 pounds.

The thieves' getaway car was eventually found abandoned.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.