Local News

FRANKLIN — A grandfather pleaded for the lives of his three grandchildren after two masked gunmen invaded his home, placed the barrels of their guns in the children's mouths and demanded he follow their orders.

Michael Arnwine was in his den with his 12-year-old grandson when the two white men entered the home at 914 Turner Lane shortly before 6:54 p.m.

"They took me upstairs and put the pistol on my 2-year-old granddaughter," he said. "I started begging them 'please don't, please don't.' "

Seven family members were inside the house, including Arnwine's wife, daughter and daughter-in-law.

The men bound one woman with duct tape, Arnwine said, and took jewelry off the women. They corralled the family in an upstairs bedroom, searched the home and made off in an older-model pickup truck with the jewelry, a coin collection, Arnwine's medication and an undetermined amount of cash.

Arnwine was struck in the head with a gun but did not require medical attention, he said. The family was not injured in the invasion, said Franklin police Lt. Christopher Musgrave.

Musgrave said the men appeared to know the secluded neighborhood well and may have observed the residence before.

Arnwine said the men were only in the home for about 10 minutes but it seemed like an eternity.

"It was just a nightmare," Arnwine said. "I did everything he told me to."

Anyone with information about the invasion may contact Detective Jeff Stewart the Franklin Division of Police at (937) 746-2882.