Rochester police say residents helped intervene before — and after — a suspected weekend burglary.
"Without the help of what we received last night, this very well could be another unsolved burglary," said Lt. Tom Kaase.
Officers were first called to the area of 49 1/2 Lane N.W. in Rochester around 6:30 p.m. Saturday after neighbors noticed a suspicious vehicle in the neighborhood.
The neighbor who called "indicated how the neighborhood had been hit by burglaries and garage prowls the previous night," Kaase said. That led locals to be on the lookout.
The suspicious vehicle was gone when officers arrived.
ADVERTISEMENT
But Kaase said police were called by members of the neighborhood again at about 9:30 p.m. because the suspicious vehicle had returned.
When officers arrived, they observed a vehicle that fit the description of the one that had been reported.
"Officers attempted to stop the vehicle," Kaase said. "When the vehicle stopped, the driver fled on foot. Officers were again helped by citizens that were in that area, that told the officers in which direction the person fled."
The 18-year-old suspect, address unknown, "was subsequently apprehended and he was placed under arrest for outstanding warrants," Kaase said.
The case remains under investigation, Kaase said, noting "evidence of a burglary in that area was found in the suspect's vehicle."
Kaase emphasized his appreciation for the help from local community members.
"Our thanks to those neighbors, especially the watchful neighbors that saw something that they didn't think was right and called it in" and the ones who pointed out which direction the fleeing suspect went, he said.
