4 teens busted for using a sledgehammer to break into a pawn shop in north Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Investigators are trying to figure out if four teens fired shots at Houston police officers while being chased after allegedly trying to break into a pawn shop.

Police say the teenagers broke into Cash America Pawn on Crosstimbers Street near Fulton Street just before 4am Monday .

Lt. Larry Crowson with Houston police said the teens used a sledgehammer to smash the glass front door, then tried to pry open metal bars inside the pawn shop. Someone saw the boys and called 911.

When officers arrived, the teens took off. They split up and hid in nearby apartment complexes, Crowson said. Officers tracked down all four of them. A police dog bit one of the teens. He was treated by paramedics on scene.

While police searched for the teens, a neighbor thought she heard shots fired at officers, so she called 911.

"Right now, we are not sure if the officers were being shot at, if there were gunshots fired in the area, or fireworks," Crowson said. "However, we are very cautious anytime we hear gunshots in the area of police operations."

The teens will be charged with burglary. Officers did not find a gun on any of them but are still searching the area.

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