A Salt Lake City home invasion abruptly ended when the two armed intruders noticed children in the residence and left empty-handed, police say.

"It is certainly an unusual case for a home invasion," Salt Lake police Sgt. Robin Snyder said Thursday, indicating investigators will explore whether the intruders mistakenly hit the wrong address -- or may have been looking for previous occupants.

In most home invasions, the perpetrators are acquainted with the occupants, Snyder said. In many cases, investigators learn the suspects were seeking drugs and cash from known dealers, trying to collect on debts or settle some other score.

The incident began about 10 p.m. Wednesday just outside the home near 1200 South and 400 East when a male resident heard the alarm sounding from his Cadillac Escalade. The 29-year-old man went outside to investigate, where he was confronted by a handgun-toting man wearing a ski mask.

A second man, also armed and wearing the hood of his sweatshirt over his face, then approached. Together, the men forced the resident into the home.

"But when they got inside, one of the suspects said something like, 'Hey, there's kids in here,' and they both turned around and left," Snyder said.

The suspects remained at large Thursday.