CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WTVR)--"I heard a loud stomp then banging on doors," said Jared Mazzo.
There's still a muddy shoe print on his neighbor’s door. "I heard her say, “please, hurry!” and the people across the hall let her in," Mazzo said.
Police say around 11:30 Wednesday night, three suspects kicked in that neighbor’s door in the 4042 building of the Genito Glen Apartments. Police say the men were armed with a gun and demanding money, but quickly ran off, realizing the woman that answered wasn't their intended target.
"It's very concerning that someone broke into an apartment and they didn't even know if it was the right one,” Johnna Rutledge. “Especially when families with children live in these apartments."
Police say the woman was shaken up but not hurt. The three suspects took off toward the back end of a nearby shopping center and haven't been seen since.
"Man, they had cops with rifles, there was about 15 of them," said Mazzo.
Neighbors say police answered the call quickly but now they hope the complex does something to reinforce the doors. “The guy kicked in the door like that,” said Rutledge. “I hope they come take care of more secure locks."
Police spent the better part of an hour searching nearby Mallard Cove and other areas around Genito Road for the three men. If you know anything about the crime, call the anonymous tip line, Crimesolvers at (804) 748-0660.
