The Masked Trio in the attempt to break up were family members pulling a prank, police said
The trio wanted for trying to break up a Virginia home this month were family members who pulled the prank, according to other information released by police in the case.
After more than 100 hours of investigation, Carrick McGuire Tarrick McGuire said that detectives identified the three suspects who threatened the family wearing “Halloween masks” as cousins of the residents.
The reported prank happened on Tuesday, Oct. 14 in Alexandria, a city south of Washington, DC.
The incident, in which the trio made threats against the family and caused property damage in their home, was captured on the home’s surveillance camera, McGuire said last year on Monday, Oct. 27 Press conference.
A video showing three masked people trying to break into a Virginia home was the result of a family prank gone wrong, according to police.
‘You go out or we go in.’ Masked Trio threatens homeowners in terrifying video
McGuire said investigators received several tips after the story gained national attention, and later contacted one of the suspects, an elderly woman, who admitted to having a role with other family members in the story.
Police chief calls incident ‘moral failure’
McGuire told reporters a woman admitted she and her two sons and nephew pulled the prank while two other adults and a child reportedly filmed the incident.
Calling it a “moral failure,” McGuire said the incident went south quickly and someone opened fire on the suspect. In addition to calling 911, McGuire said the homeowner called his brother, who arrived at the scene armed with a loaded gun.
Police responded to a 911 call at the home shortly after the incident, McGuire said, adding that the residents of the home knew about the prank.
“They should answer their children, and not show this kind of behavior. I hope this will be a learning experience for their family,” said the chief.
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The suspects will not face charges, the police said
The chief also said that no criminal charges will be filed in this case.
Because the family did not want to pursue charges, police said, the suspects will not be identified.
No one was injured in this incident.
Doorbell camera captured the horrifying scene
The footage captured the terrifying scene that began when one of the masked men burst through the front door.
The video shows the trio standing directly in the front yard before the exchange ringing the bell, knocking on the door and, at the same time, jiggling its handle.
“It’s either you get out or we’re in,” one of the men on duty says in the video as the Trio continues to demand the family open the door.
Shayla Whiteside, who lives in the home, previously said that a trio of burglars tried and thought the incident was a prank.
“They tried to force the front door, raised my handles, tore the back fence, and tore the back screen, yelling threats, saying they were going to kill us,” you told the news.
Natalie Nesa Alund is a top reporter for USA Today. Reach her at alund@usatoday.com and follow her at x @natalieoult
This article originally appeared in USA Today: People hidden in attempted breakup pull prank, police say
