The Johnson County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an alleged home invasion that took place early Wednesday morning.

Just after 12:30 a.m., deputies responded to the 4700 block of Welton Street in Greenwood after dispatch received a call about a burglary in progress. Sheriff Doug Cox says that just before deputies arrived, the dispatcher heard a commotion, along with the caller noting that a man inside of the house had a gun. When deputies arrived, they found the male resident walking through a neighbors yard, pointing towards Mcalpin Street, yelling to them that the suspects fled in that direction. Deputies searched the area, but found nothing.

The resident returned to his home with the deputies and explained what happened. The residents, a husband and wife, told investigators that a large male had entered the home through a bedroom window and grabbed the husband. The wife says that she then grabbed her two young daughters and locked the three of them in a closet. As this was going on, the wife says that the intruder tried to get them out of the closet.

The wife also reportedly told police that she noticed two black males peering inside of the living room window. She also said that she saw a female in, or near, the kitchen. Moments later, she says that all off the suspects fled out the front door. The wife says that she and her children then fled out the back door.

The husband reportedly told investigators that he followed the suspects out the front door and saw them get into a dark colored van. Authorities say that he later stated that they had escaped in a white work van.

Once the authorities finished their investigation, deputies say that they were called back to the home about ten minutes later. The residents reported that the suspects had returned and were in their front yard. Deputies say they responded in seconds, but were unable to locate anyone.