WMC-TV: News, Weather, Traffic, Radar, and Sports for Memphis, TN; WMCTV.com | Armed robbers invade Germantown home

Armed robbers invade Germantown home

The quiet calm of Forest Downs Drive was disrupted Thursday when three men attempting an armed robbery forced their way into this home.

"My cousins were here from out of town and they were in the house and surprised the burglars," said homeowner LaShaun Chalmers.

"One of the suspects did have a pistol, one of the guests came down from the garage and the suspect pointed the pistol at him," said Germantown Police Inspector D.W. Payne.

No one was hurt and Germantown police captured two of the men, but the third one managed to escape, forcing a lock down on the neighborhood. Bill Arnold rushed home from work to comfort his wife.

"Well she likes to work in the yard and she was afraid to go out in the yard," said Arnold.

The ordeal was not only frightening but rare for Germantown police. Payne says its the first one they've had. And there is another concern there may a gun lying in these woods here in the neighborhood.

Investigators believe the man they caught may have dropped it here as he tried to make his escape. Residents have no neighborhood watch program but say they rely on the police and each other for safety.

"Germantown is pretty safe though, they watch it and when I see strange people I check them out we kind of watch it," said neighbor James Blount.

But a mid-day home invasion caught everyone by surprise, and a missing suspect is adding to their concerns. The men left their car behind, and police found other burglary tools inside. The suspects in custody will likely be charged with aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary.

To learn more about how to protect yourself against home invasions click here.