Nine Fleming Island High School students have been arrested and two others are being sought in connection with two home burglaries that netted $5,100 in cash and valuables.

Arrested were Brandyn Demankowski, John Biscardi, Samuel Greer, Ronald Turner, Stanlova Sainvilus, John McDaniel III, Brandon Lyons, Beau Yarbrough and Natavius Williams.

According to the Clay County Sheriff's Office, detectives believe the group knew a friend and football teammate's family would be out of town for the Memorial Day holiday and targeted the home for the burglary.

Investigators said some of the students went to the home twice, while others went once, breaking in and stealing thousands of dollars of property. There were three guns stolen, which is why the majority of the students are charged with armed burglary instead of just burglary, detectives said.

One of the guns, a .22 caliber antique rifle, is still missing. The other two stolen guns, a 30-06 rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun, were recovered.

Detectives said the students, five of whom played either varsity or junior varsity football at Fleming Island, also stole two guitars, a computer, a PlayStation, a TV, jewelry, a refrigerator and gas cards.

"I think on an individual basis, most of them would not have done something like this, but it's kind of that following your buddy into something," said Detective Jermaine Boone, of the Clay County Sheriff's Office. "They probably did things that they wouldn't normally do."

Some of the students are still being held in the Duval Regional Juvenile Detention Center. Others have been released on bail.

Anyone with information about the gun that hasn't yet been recovered is asked to call the Clay County Sheriff's Office at 904-264-6512.