A masked trio being sought in a chilling tried break-in at a Virginia home this month were relations pulling a prank, according to new info launched by police in the case.
After more than 100 hours of investigation, Alexandria Police Department Chief Tarrick McGuire said detectives recognized the three suspects who terrorized a household dressed in scary “Halloween masks” as cousins of the residents.
The reported prank took place Tuesday, Oct. 14 in Alexandria, a metropolis just south of Washington, DC.
The incident in which the trio made threats against the household and prompted property harm to their home, was captured on a home’s Ring surveillance digicam, McGuire said during a Monday, Oct. 27 press convention.
A video displaying three masked people attempting to break into a Virginia home was the outcome of a household prank gone unsuitable, according to police.
‘You come out or we come in.’ Masked trio threatens householders in horrifying video
McGuire said investigators acquired quite a few ideas after the story garnered national consideration, and later contacted one of the suspects, an grownup feminine, who confessed to her position and that of other relations in the case.
Police chief calls incident a ‘ethical failure’
McGuire informed reporters a lady admitted she and her two sons and a nephew staged the prank while two other adults and a little one reportedly filmed the incident.
Calling it a “moral failure,” McGuire said the incident could have gone south fast had someone opened fire on the suspect. In addition to calling 911, McGuire said the house owner called her brother, who arrived at the scene armed with a loaded firearm.
Police responded to a 911 call at the home shortly after the incident, McGuire said, including there was no indication the residents at the home knew about the prank.
“Adults should be accountable for their children, and not exercise this type of behavior. Hopefully this will be a learning experience for their family,” the chief said.
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Suspects won’t face costs, police say
The chief also said no prison costs would be filed in the case.
Because the household did not need to pursue costs, police said, the suspects will not be recognized.
No one was injured in the incident.
Doorbell digicam captured scary incident
Footage captured the scary episode which started when one of the masked people rang the entrance doorbell.
Video reveals the trio standing ominously in the entrance yard before taking turns ringing the bell, knocking on the door and, at one level, jiggling its deal with.
“It’s either you come out or we come in,” one of the masked males says in the video as the trio proceed to demand the household open the door.
Shayla Whiteside, who lives in the home, beforehand said the trio of tried burglars appeared to be strangers and she thought the scene was a prank.
“They tried forcing the front door open, jiggled the handles, broke down my backyard fence, and tore through the back screen, screaming threats, saying that they will kill us and that they were coming back,” she informed Storyful.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and comply with her on X @nataliealund
This article initially appeared on USA TODAY: Masked people in tried break-in were pulling a prank, police say
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