A pair posing as deliverymen forced their way into a Green Spring Valley home yesterday, tied up a housekeeper and 4-year-old boy, ransacked the house and stole valuables, Baltimore County police said.

The home invasion occurred at about 2: 30 p.m. yesterday in the 3200 block of Caves Road at the home of Jill A. Kolodner and her husband, David Duke. Neither Kolodner nor Duke were home at the time of the robbery, police said.

Police spokesman Bill Toohey said the men tied up the unidentified housekeeper and the child and left them in a bathroom while they looked for valuables.

"It took the housekeeper more than an hour to free herself," Toohey said. "She then ran to the neighbors to call police."

The woman and child were not injured, Toohey said.

The two-story house with its well-manicured lawn sits back from winding, wooded Caves Road. Police combed the residence yesterday for clues about the intruders.

Police said an inventory was being completed last night to determine exactly what had been stolen.

James Cox, president of the Caveswood Association which represents about 24 homes, said neighbors experienced a rash of break-ins several years ago and hired a security firm to patrol the area.

Cox, however, said he was unaware of any incidents similar to yesterday's.

"We have been lucky so far these past few years," said Cox, who has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years. "I haven't heard any recent concerns over security, but all that changes when something like this happens."

He said residents have been debating whether to add extra lighting in the community since the area is heavily wooded and dark.