SUMMERDALE — A Summerdale man remains in police custody and two youngsters are in the Baldwin County Juvenile Detention Center in Bay Minette following a burglary incident earlier this week.

According to Summerdale Police Officer Terry Fent, two neighbors reported that two 7-year-olds broke into a West Shriver Street home last Thursday. He explained that the house is currently empty after the death of its owner.

“The house is currently under probate,” Fent said.

However, the executor of the home had regularly checked on the house, but due to a busy schedule had been unable to do so last week. That’s when the two children reportedly burglarized the house.

While inside, the pair allegedly found a loaded gun and took turns firing it one time.

“We’re just lucky we didn’t have an injured or dead 7-year-old,” Fent said.

After going through the belongings of the home, the children allegedly told three friends, aged 9, 14 and 15, about the house and its contents.

“The father (42-year-old Lester Johnson Wallace III) told his 15-year-old step-son to go back and get the gun for him,” Fent said.

The officer pointed out that Wallace has a previous conviction of domestic violence.

“Under state law, he can’t possess a weapon,” Fent said.

The five juveniles allegedly began looting the vacant home.

“They basically tore the building to pieces,” Fent said, adding that the home incurred approximately $10,000 worth of damage.

That gained notice of neighbors by Sunday morning.

“We had gotten the report from Crime Watch members about suspicious activity,” Fent said. “We have to give a lot of credit to our Crime Watch program.”

That report led to the arrest of Wallace, who remains in the Baldwin County Correctional Facility in Bay Minette, where he is charged with theft of property in the second degree and possession of a pistol by a violent felon.

“That’s a Class-C felony,” Fent said.

Also arrested was Lisa Wilson, who was charged with receiving stolen property.

The juveniles, two of whom were on the scene when police arrived Sunday morning, were taken into custody and face charges that include burglary in the third degree, theft of property in the second degree and criminal mischief in the first degree.

According to Fent, the case is an unusual one.

“I’ve never had two 7-year-olds involved,” he said, “and I’ve been in law enforcement since 1992.”

At press time, several hundred dollars’ worth of stolen items had been recovered and the case remains under investigation.