Local News
Vigilant neighbor alerts authorities to burglary
Highlands Today
Published: November 29, 2012
AVON PARK - A vigilant caller who alerted authorities helped Highlands County Sheriff's Office deputies nab two suspects after they reportedly broke into an Avon Park home Monday, according to Highlands County Sheriff's Office.Published: November 29, 2012
At 11:15 a.m., the caller, who saw the two men hanging around the 715 Ruth St. home where he knew no one was home, called Central Dispatch, after he heard a loud crash, according to sheriff's spokeswoman Nell Hays.
A short time later, the caller saw the two running away and gave authorities a description of what they looked like, Hays added.
Sgt. Jamie Davidson and Deputy Elvin Ancheta saw two men fitting the description in the area of Winthrop Street and U.S. 27 and detained them.
Meanwhile, Deputy Wayne Gunn and his canine partner, Sarge, responded to the burglary scene and tracked from the scene to the location where the two were being detained.
"Along the way, K-9 Sarge alerted to various pieces of clothing matching the original description provided and apparently discarded by the subjects as they were fleeing," Hays added.
Cristian Alfredo Manuel, 19, of 1115 W. Pleasant St., Avon Park, and Pedro Gonzalez, 20, 709 Palmetto St., Avon Park, were arrested and charged with possession of burglary tools, burglary of an unoccupied structure and petit theft. They are 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," Hays added.