RICHMOND, Va. -- Police are searching for five suspects who broke into a home near the Virginia Commonwealth University Monroe Park campus, early Wednesday morning.

Richmond Police responded to the home in the 1100 block of W. Grace Street just after 2 a.m. Wednesday.

Officials said one of the five suspects was armed and the group forced their way into the home after knocking on the back door of the fire escape. A person who was in the apartment at the time said that when a roommate opened the door a crack, the criminals asked for help. He said they had masks on but then pushed into the apartment.

Those suspects managed to steal the victim's personal belongings before leaving.

Investigators said one suspect was a Latino male and a second suspect was a black male. All suspects were described as wearing dark clothing, average height and between the ages of 19 and 23.

Students who live next door said they woke up to police lights.

"I looked outside and right out front of my window were three police cars and they had their lights on for at least an hour," Emma Sue Sims said.

Betty Halstead Lacy said she's afraid to walk her dog late at night because of the crime.

"It frightens me back to reality that you can’t go out at any point," she said.

Police have increased patrols in the area while they search for the suspects.

VCU students, staff, faculty, and citizens of Richmond are encouraged to report all suspicious persons or incidents, however minor, to the VCU Police immediately at 804-828-1234. Any helpful information in this case can be reported to the VCU Detectives at 804-828-6409.