Vidalia — A Vidalia business owner received a rude awakening early Monday morning when a feature on his security system alerted him of an attempted burglary at his pawnshop.

The three alleged burglars walked away from Concordia Pawn and Gun Shop in handcuffs, and owner Finley Hootsell got reassurance a recent upgrade to his security system was worth every penny.

At approximately 1 a.m. Monday, Hootsell was awakened by an alert system on his phone triggered by the security system at his Carter Street store.

Hootsell, who also owns and operates Natchez Pawn Shop, said he immediately called the Vidalia Police Department to alert them of the attempted burglary.

“I had been concerned with the rash of burglaries in the area, so recently I upgraded and added better security systems at my stores,” Hootsell said. “I got dressed and went to the store and by the time I got there, the Vidalia Police Department in conjunction with the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office had captured them red handed.”

Vidalia Police Chief Arthur Lewis said multiple officers responded to the store and were able to arrest three suspects without incident.

“As soon as the officers yelled, ‘police,’ the suspects got right on the ground and complied with the officers’ requests,” Lewis said. “They hadn’t made it into the store, but some damage was done to the building.”

Nicholas Rashon Brown, 19, Darius A. McMorris, 18, and Demarius P. Hawkins, 30, were arrested Monday and charged with attempted simple burglary, felony criminal damage to property and illegal carrying of weapons.