“Specifically, they said, ‘If you do not come out, we will come in,’ and also threatened to do bodily harm, stating that they would ultimately kill them.”
Police in Virginia are investigating an attempted home break-in caught on camera showing three people wearing Halloween masks trying to force their way into a residence.
The incident occurred around 10 pm, with Ring doorbell footage capturing the suspects pounding on the door and windows of the home while making threats. Local outlet WUSA reported that Shayla Whiteside, who was visiting her recently widowed mother at the time, initially believed it was a harmless Halloween prank.
"At first I thought it was just a Halloween joke, a little prank," she explained. So I said, 'Happy Halloween." Whiteside said the situation escalated despite her warning the suspects that police were on their way.
"They kept, like, knocking on the door," she continued. "The knocks would get harder and harder."
In the footage, one of the suspects can be heard shouting, "It's either you coming out or we coming in," while another demanded that she open the door.
"It's not even a joke gone wrong," said Whiteside. "They tried to enter into the home. My heart dropped when they said they were gonna take a chair and break down the door."
At a Thursday press conference, Alexandria Police Chief Tarrik McGuire called the incident a “very serious matter.”
They began to make threatening and alarming comments to the family,” McGuire said. “Specifically, they said, 'If you do not come out, we will come in,' and also threatened to do bodily harm, stating that they would ultimately kill them."
Police are reviewing footage from nearby homes and businesses to identify the suspects.
"Historically, we have seen pranks around the nation with people wearing masks, trying to mimic movie scenes or horrific films," McGuire continued. "These are serious matters because they are frightening, but most importantly, they can result in serious injury."
"They attempted to enter a residence, and under Virginia state law, that constitutes burglary," he added. "It's a warning to people: do not go up to people's doors, make threats, advance their doorways, and play with their lives, because it ultimately can end up in a dangerous event."
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