Local Heroes, Dog, Aid In Arrest After Burglary In Mission Viejo

MISSION VIEJO, CA —After an hours-long search, two residents and a dog helped local authorities find a missing burglary suspect, Tuesday, the Mission Viejo Police Services reported.

The streets were quiet at 3 a.m. when a local Mission Viejo business was burglarized in the area of Crown Valley Parkway and Marguerite, Orange County Sheriff's Department spokesperson Carrie Braun said.

Officers responded to the scene where suspects sped away in a vehicle, then crashed into a median.

One suspect stayed with the vehicle after the crash while others fled the scene, Braun said. Deputies soon caught up with a second suspect, though a third remained on the run.

Residents of the nearby neighborhood were warned to lock their doors and stay inside, but a few saw something suspicious and did something about it.

Community members Jeremy and Eric (last names withheld) saw the social media post at around 7:30 a.m., and were told to lock their doors and call 911 if they noticed anything suspicious.

Jeremy noticed something amiss in his backyard, according to Braun.

"He recognized that the person in question fit the description and shouted after the suspect to gain his attention. Startled, the suspect took off on foot," Braun said.

Jeremy gave chase, though he was barefoot at the time. He flagged down Sgt. Osterfeld of the OCSD.

"Osterfeld chased the suspect up a hill, where Eric, spotted him running through his backyard," Lt. Quyen Vuong of Mission Viejo Police Services reported over social media.

Eric, dressed only in his underwear, called for assistance from his trusty dog, Tex.
"He told Tex to 'Go, get him!' and the dog obliged," Vuong said. Tex chased after the suspect and bit his shirt, and held onto him until Eric arrived and tackled him to the ground, enabling him to make a "citizen's arrest."

Officers, still searching the area, quickly caught up to the citizens who apprehended the third individual, according to Braun.

"We are so thankful to have heroic and outstanding citizens to help keep our city safe!" Vuong expressed. "We are also looking to do something special for Tex."

Might we suggest a box of dog biscuits?

As of this report, no identities of the suspects have been released, and an ongoing investigation was underway.

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