Substitute teacher arrested at school

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - Portsmouth police arrested a substitute teacher as she was leaving work Friday for her alleged role in an Oct. crime.

Tena Lin Neese Artise, 22, a substitute teacher at Douglas Park Elementary School, is charged with burglary, abduction/kidnapping and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

On Oct. 21, police were called to the 1300 block of County Street at 5:41 p.m. for a "suspicious situation". A 14-year-old girl at the home told police she heard a knock at the back door and when she answered a woman pointed a gun at her. The woman entered and asked the teen where her other relatives were, as a second suspect stayed behind outside. Police say the women left after they found that no one else was home.

The teen was not hurt.

Police spokeswoman Jan Westerbeck said a police investigation led them to Artise, who was identified as the armed woman. Westerbeck said owed money appears to be the motive.

Westerbeck added a gun was found at Artise's home.

Police are still working to locate the second suspect. If you have any information that can help police, call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.