Cape Cod Dog Foils Burglary: Police

YARMOUTH, MA — A Cape Cod dog deserves a few extra treats after police said it scared off a burglar who was later arrested and found with drugs early Tuesday morning. The suspect, Joseph Parent, 28, of Hyannis, was charged with felony breaking and entering at night and two counts of drug possession. Yarmouth police said the burglary happened on Sullivan Road at about 2 a.m.

The homeowners "were awoken by their alert dog barking and were able to call police and provide a description of the suspect," Yarmouth police said in a statement. (Sign up for free daily newsletters and breaking news alerts from Massachusetts Patch sites.)

Arriving officers soon located Parent walking nearby. He was found with suboxone and nine unidentified pills, police said.

"The suspect—who is well known to Cape Cod Law Enforcement—was positively identified by the homeowners and placed under arrest," police said.

Parent was held in police custody pending an arraignment Tuesday in Barnstable District Court.

"The Yarmouth Police Department commends to excellent teamwork and decision making of all of the Police Officers involved, the devoted and alert canine, and the outstanding work of the homeowners for remaining calm, reporting the crime immediately, and helping the YPD hold a criminal accountable and remove him from our community," police added.

In 2011, Parent was arrested in Barnstable and charged with breaking into a motor vehicle.

Photo: Joseph Parent's mugshot following his arrest on burglary and drug charges in Yarmouth October 24, 2017. (Credit: Yarmouth Police Department)