Chilling doorbell footage shows three creepy costumed figures terrorizing a family, prompting a major police investigation — but cops now say the haunting stunt was a prank pulled by the victims’ teenage relatives.
Police in upscale Alexandria, Va., opened an investigation into a possible attempted burglary after the trio of creeps was recorded on the doorbell camera trying to open the door on the night of Oct. 14, WJLA reported.
Video shows one of the costumed teens approach the home in the DC suburb and ring the doorbell. He’s joined by the other two in their own terrifying garb as they stand silently and menacingly in the walkway, staring at the front of the home.
“It’s your worst nightmare,” one of the trio says, sinisterly chuckling.
For more than 10 minutes, the group then lurked outside and took turns banging on the front door and staring at the house, video shows.
“Open the door!” a member of the group — dressed in what appears to be a Michael Meyers mask — yells as he tries to force the doorknob open.
The unsuspecting victims had no idea this was a prank when it happened — with one of them phoning her brother before calling the police. The sibling showed up with a gun, believing the house was being robbed, according to police.
Cops announced Friday that an adult woman has since confessed that she helped her two sons and her nephew — who are each between 14 and 16 years old — give their relatives what they thought would be a funny scare.
Two other adults and another child were also helping with and recording the incident from the street. In all, cops said there were four children and three adults involved.
Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire said detectives spent more than 100 man hours investigating the incident but ultimately decided not to press charges after meeting with victims and prosecutors, according to WJLA.
“While this case may not result in prosecution, it represents a serious moral failure,” McGuire said in a statement.
“Pranks of this nature are not taken lightly. Actions like these could have had deadly consequences,” he said. “Adults must be accountable for their children, and parents have a moral responsibility to guide and correct their behavior.”
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