Special to the News-Sun
AVON PARK -- call came into Central Dispatch at 11:15 a.m. on Monday of a burglary in progress at 715 Ruth St. in Avon Park. The caller saw two subjects hanging around a residence where he knew no one was home. As the caller was making the observations, he heard a loud crash and immediately called the sheriff's office.
A short time later, the reporting person saw two subjects running from the residence and he provided their description to dispatch. Deputies immediately responded to the area and set up a perimeter. Sgt. Jamie Davidson and Deputy Elvin Ancheta saw two subjects fitting the description in the area of Winthrop Street and U.S. 27 and detained them.
Meanwhile, Deputy Wayne Gunn and his K-9 partner Sarge responded to the burglary scene and tracked from the scene to the location where the subjects were being detained. Along the way, K-9 Sarge alerted to various pieces of clothing matching the original description provided that had apparently been discarded by the subjects as they were fleeing.
As a result of this teamwork, Cristian Alfredo Manuel, 19, of 1115 W. Pleasant St., and Pedro Gonzalez, 20, 709 Palmetto St., both in Avon Park, were arrested and charged with possession of burglary tools, burglary of an unoccupied structure and petit theft. They are currently being held in the Highlands County Jail.
Davidson commended the eyewitness for staying involved and keeping dispatch informed as this incident developed. The victim, who had been burglarized previously, was very thankful for the response of the Highlands County Sheriff's Office, as this time he got his property back.
Highlands County Sheriff Susan Benton commended deputies for their teamwork in being able to apprehend these suspects.
"This is an excellent example of our vision: A safer Highlands County,where citizens and law enforcement are joined together, the rights of all persons are respected and community values are reflected."
Friday, November 30, 2012 - www.newssun.com/113012-burglary-arrests