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OC Police Commend Teen Girl For Calling 911 While Hiding During Home Robbery

ROSSMOOR (CBSLA.com) — Police are commending a 14-year-old girl for her quick thinking when two burglars tried to make their way into her family's Orange County home.

The girl, who was alone at the time, called police while hiding in a closet, according to the O.C. Sheriff's Department.

"I think someone is in," the girl can be heard saying during the 911 call.

"Did you hear the front door?" emergency dispatcher Candace Moran replied in a lowered voice.

"I'm hearing the front door and the windows," the girl whispered.

The break-in occurred July 21 in Rossmoor.

Two juveniles, both boys, tried to enter the house through several doors and windows, deputies said.

The girl called police as she hid in the bedroom closet, all the while telling Moran what was going on.

"I was just trying to make her quiet, and I was trying to be quiet, so nobody could hear on the other end, in case they were inside," said Moran, who assured the teen she wouldn't be alone long.

"If you go down the hall, I'm the second door to the left. Um ... I'm just kind of scared, to be honest," the girl told the dispatcher.

"Four deputies and a canine are on the way to you, OK? They are there, OK, but they're out front, all right?" Moran said in the 911 call.

The girl also texted her dad, Clay, who said she was "feeling a little freaked out, and then her last statement, which a parent never wants to hear, was 'Please help.' "

The boys were arrested and booked into Orange County Juvenile Hall.

Deputies said "the quick actions and calm demeanor demonstrated by the young informant led to an immediate response and arrest of the suspects."

The girl's father credits the dispatcher and deputies for quickly arresting the two would-be burglars before they could break in to other homes.

Anyone with additional information was asked to call the OCSD at (714) 647-7060 or at (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips can be made to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

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