Four masked men broke into a Lancaster city apartment early Thursday morning and assaulted three people in what police are calling a targeted attack.

City police say they arrested two of the intruders, including one man who swung a steel baton at a pursuing officer. The other two suspects escaped and were at large Thursday night.

The violent break-in happened at 613 N. Plum St. about 2 a.m., according to city police.

Two men from Lancaster County are charged with taking part. Jason Clapper, 26, of Leola, and Andrew Corson, 24, of Marietta, are each charged with burglary and conspiracy for plotting the break-in.

Clapper, of Hertzog Drive, also is charged with aggravated assault and possessing an instrument of crime in connection with the altercation with Officer Jonathan Reppert. Reppert avoided the 21-inch baton and was able to subdue and arrest Clapper, police said.

City police say the motive wasn't drug-related.

Detectives are investigating a fight involving an occupant of the home that could be tied to the burglary.

That fight from a few weeks ago may have brought the four men to the North Plum Street apartment, police said.

The foursome broke in and confronted three occupants — two men (ages 30 and 26) and a 28-year-old woman. A 7-year-old girl who was home wasn't assaulted, police said.

The others were physically assaulted and repeatedly punched, police said.

"They did put up some resistance," city police Sgt. Todd Umstead said of the victims.

All three sustained minor injuries, police said. The woman was treated at Lancaster General Hospital and released.

One of the occupants managed to call 911 during the break-in.

As police arrived, they saw a man running from the home. Reppert chased that man, who was identified later as Clapper. During the foot pursuit, Clapper swung the baton at least once at Reppert, police allege.

Umstead described the baton as a retractable "long metal stick," similar to those police officers carry.

Civilians are allowed to have the items, the sergeant said.

"You could say for self-defense," Umstead said, "but that obviously wasn't the case here."

Reppert was able to avoid being struck, and he wrestled Clapper into custody.

A man later identified as Corson was still at the North Plum Street apartment, hiding in a bathroom. Officers took him into custody without incident.

Neither suspect has admitted to the burglary, police said. Both were at Lancaster County Prison Thursday on $10,000 bail apiece.

Police say they don't have solid descriptions of the two who got away.

Anyone with information is asked to contact city police at 735-3300.

E-mail: bhambright@lnpnews.com