Home break-in forces lockdown at several Burke County schools, deputies say

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — Several schools in Burke County were on a soft lockdown Wednesday morning after a break-in at a home nearby just as school was starting, deputies said.

Samuel Hensley is charged with felony breaking and entering and larceny after breaking and entering.

(Hensley)

Deputies said they responded to Pete Brittain Road near Enola Road around 8:15 a.m. and a witness said they saw a man run into the woods across from Liberty Middle School.

Liberty Middle School, North Liberty High School, Patton High School and J. Iverson Riddle Center were notified about the search for the suspect and put on soft lockdown.

Deputies said they found Hensley at 8:50 a.m. in the crawl space of his mother's home on Pete Brittain Road.

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Deputies believe he broke out a rear window of a home, stealing electronic equipment.

Channel 9 spoke with the woman who lives there. She said she had just returned from taking her grandchildren to school when she came face to face with the masked burglar.

"I'm terrified because I don't feel safe. If my grandchildren had been here or he had a weapon, anything could have happened. He was inside my home when I entered," resident Angela Hallman said.

Deputies said they found two bags of stolen property the suspect tossed while running away.

Check back for updates on this story. 

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