PEABODY, MASS. (WHDH) - Three men broke into a home in Peabody, forcing an elderly couple to the ground at gunpoint.
The presence of a toddler apparently foiled the home invasion and potential robbery.
The incident happened about 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Police said three men forced their way into the home of a 69-year-old man, forcing him to the floor at gunpoint.
The grandmother used her body to shield her 2-year-old grandson, who was eating breakfast at the kitchen table.
The grandmother plead with the men to leave, and they did when they saw the child.
The toddler’s parents were out of the house with their other children at the time.
Police said at least one of the men was armed with a handgun. They said two of the men had masks and a third had a shirt pulled up over his head.
The suspects ran away from the scene and may have gotten into a black SUV waiting nearby.
Police are unsure if this was a targeted home invasion or a random act.
Police said residents should not be overly concerned.
Stay with 7News as this story develops.
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