NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Police in Norfolk are investigating why three children were home alone when two men broke into the residence, sent the children into a back room and stole items before fleeing.

Norfolk police spokesman Daniel Hudson tells The Virginian-Pilot (http://bit.ly/1sXgYz2) it’s unclear how long the children had been alone Tuesday. He says the children, ages 8, 5 and 2, remain in their parents’ care while the investigation continues.

Police are searching for two men who broke into the home. One of them was carrying a handgun.

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Information from: The Virginian-Pilot, http://pilotonline.com

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