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3 students accused of breaking into Mint Hill home instead of being at school

MINT HILL, N.C. — Mint Hill police said three Rocky River High School students are facing charges after a home break-in Tuesday morning.

Isaac Nepomucenu Gutierrez, 16, and Guillermo Licon, 18, are being charged with felony breaking and entering.

Officials said a juvenile petition is also being sought on a 15-year-old who was involved. They said he will be charged with felony breaking and entering and resisting an officer.

(From left: Gutierrez, Licon)

Police said they responded to a home on Truelight Church Road around 10 a.m. The resident said his home was broken into, and he chased the suspects off his property.

[ALSO READ: 2 arrested, third on the run, after robbery, chase in south Charlotte]

“I’ve been freaked out all day," said Laura Davis, who lives in the neighborhood.

Davis said one of the suspects knocked on her door and seemed surprised when she answered.

“When he looked at me he looked like he was shocked, and he was like, 'I thought this was somebody else’s house' and he left. I noticed something was weird because he walked across my yard and there’s no cars out here,” said Davis.

Moments later, she said a neighbor who had chased the boys ended up at her house.

“When I saw him come down it was, 'In your house, lock your door, close your windows,' this and that. 'Get a gun,'" said Davis.

Officers responding to the scene said they spotted two people in a field that matched the description of the suspects. They were able to take one into custody, but the second person got away.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom was overhead as officers searched the wooded area off Interstate 485 and Truelight Church Road.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department brought in K-9 officers and helped to set up a perimeter. The second person was never caught, but officials said they know his identity.

[ALSO READ: Student found with gun at Rocky River High; officials say no threat]

Police said a school resource officer saw two other students coming back onto Rocky River High School’s campus, where they were detained. They were also taken into custody.

Officers said they have not determined if the students left school or if they were never on campus.

They said no weapons were discovered, and it doesn’t appear the students were armed at any time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mint Hill Police Department at (704) 545-1085.

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