Most of the school day was interrupted at Webb City Junior High School on Thursday, May 12, as law enforcement officers surrounded a house nearby.

The event began at 7:38 a.m. as Webb City Police officers were called to a burglary in progress in the 1600 block of South Oronogo Street.

Officers were able to locate the vehicle used in the burglary in the area of Fourth and Jefferson streets, which is three blocks south of the junior high.

Even closer, in the 900 block of West First Street, just west of the junior high, officers identified the residence where the burglary suspects were hiding.

Officers with the Webb City Special Response Team were called out and surrounded the house. Team members called over a public address system for the suspects to come out of the residence, but they refused.

Police Chief Don Melton credits chemical munitions deployed by deputies with the Jasper County Special Response Team for coaxing the two suspects out of the house.

A 25-year-old male and 28-year-old female were taken into custody without further incident as they exited the house.

Melton says officers were in constant contact with school staff, who set up an alternate pickup for dismissal. However, the scene was secured by 2:15 p.m., 27 minutes before junior high students are normally dismissed at 2:42 p.m. Officers cleared the scene at 4:15 p.m.

Melton thanked the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, the Webb City Fire Department, and METS ambulance service for their assistance.