Palm Bay neighborhood locked down

PALM BAY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - What law enforcement officers thought was a hostage situation, was really just a burglary. It caused a Palm Bay neighborhood to go on lock down as the SWAT team canvassed the area. But the couple who called for help, says they'd do it again if they had to.

When Gadiel and Vanessa Reyes arrived at their home Monday afternoon, they quickly realized that thieves had gotten in through the sliding door. This former military couple, noticed someone took their guns, so they thought the intruders were still inside.

That's when Vanessa went to hide. "I went straight to the bathroom. I heard my husband yell out my name."

While Vanessa said she yelled back, Gadiel didn't hear her, so he called 911. "He was saying I think there's someone in the bathroom with my wife or they're in the closet with the guns."

Even though Vanessa could see the SWAT team outside, she wouldn't budge. "I just thought that they were gonna get me if I did go outside." So cops sent a robot inside.

"I could hear the little robot machine coming into my room. You could hear little robot sounds."

Officers talked to Vanessa through a camera on the robot. They told her to come outside and that's when the situation l ended.

While the thieves got away with guns, DVDs and jewelry, this couple is relieved with the outcome. "Little things were taken away but our safety's the most important thing to our family."

This couple warns others to be alert. Meanwhile, police don't have any suspects. Anyone with information should call the Palm Bay Police Department at 321-952-3459.