CUMBERLAND — Five people were caught early Sunday morning attempting to steal thousands of dollars worth of items from a barn at 500 Nate Whipple Highway, on the property of a couple killed in an apparent murder-suicide earlier this year, according to the police.

Sgt. Paul Brown said the police received a call from a neighbor at about 12:15 a.m. regarding suspicious vehicles on the property. The police, upon arriving at the scene, found five people standing next to two vehicles, a sport-utility vehicle and a van, parked on the property.

They said they saw two of the men loading a large Craftsman tool chest into the van. They also noted that the license plate of the SUV had been altered using electrical tape.

Later, the police found that a padlock had been broken on a wooden barn located on the property. Among the high-priced items allegedly taken from the barn were power tools, hand tools, electrical equipment, a compressor and radios, said Brown.

When confronted by the police, one of the individuals, Evelyn M. Ostrowsky, reportedly said the group was sent on behalf of the family of the former residents.

The property was previously owned by Norman and Beatrice Langelier. The house was leveled in April during an early-morning explosion apparently set off by Norman after he had killed his wife, Beatrice. Norman was killed in the ensuing fire.

The police contacted Linda Thibault, co-administrator of the estate and Beatrice Langelier’s sister, who said the five people were not associated with the family.

The police charged each of the five with breaking and entering, trespassing and larceny over $500. Charged were:

•Manuel Demedeiros, 56, of 133 Summer St., Central Falls.

•Hope Oxx, 52, of 133 Summer St., Central Falls.

•Evelyn M. Ostrowsky, 55, of 156 Bear Hill Rd., Cumberland.

•Christy Leblanc, 30, of 156 Bear Hill Rd., Cumberland.

•Michael Dionne, 37, of 124 Samuel Ave., Pawtucket.

Demedeiros and Dionne were arraigned before a bail commissioner at the Cumberland Police Station on Sunday. They were released on $1,000 personal recognizance bond pending formal arraignment in Sixth District Court in Providence.

The three others will be arraigned in District Court on July 9.

pmarcelo@projo.com