Updated: 11/26/2009 8:34 PM KSTP.com | Print |  Email
By: Maggie Newland & Becky Nahm

Mpls. Home Invasion Becomes Drug Bust

Police investigating a report of people in HAZMAT suits trying to break into a home discovered a marijuana-growing operation.

Around 9:30 a.m. Thursday police were called to a home on 5th Street NE.

Sergio Devora and his stepfather live next door to the home and noticed something strange while eating breakfast.

Devora said they saw, "Two people in silver HAZMAT suits coming up to the back door and one of them had a clipboard."

Devora said watched as one of the men pryed open the door.

The men were alarmed by what they saw a short time later.

Devora said, "There's a girl crawling out. Her hands are bound. She's got blood on her. And that's when I instinctively just grabbed my boots and headed out the door."

Devora and his stepfather chased the two people in HAZMAT suits and held them down until police arrived and arrested them.

Police who responded found the home targeted by the people in the HAZMAT suits was full of marijuana and housed an elaborate growing operation.

Police spent much of the rest of the day removing lights, equipment and bags of plants from the home.

Police aren't sure why the two people were dressed in protective gear, but they did say the air in the home was filled with pepper spray. They believe the intruders used it during the breakin.

Two people found in the home with the marijuana were taken to an area hospital. Both left the hospital and police say they are both wanted.