WESTFIELD – Thanks to the quick thinking and actions of an off duty police officer and his K9, two Springfield men suspected of breaking into a house were caught last week.
It happened around 9:30 a.m. the morning of March 1. Southwick Police Officer Thomas Krutka noticed a suspicious motor vehicle parked near 26 Pontoosic Road.
The next thing Krutka said he saw was two subjects running from a residence through the woods towards Feeding Hills Road. He also noted that the door to the residence had been pried open.
Even though Krutka was off duty, he called for backup and pursued the suspects with the assistance of his K9 partner, Jax.
Within ten minutes, Westfield Police Officer Dermot Hurley had one subject detained.
About 15 minutes later, thanks to Jax and Krutka, Hurley detained the second suspect.
Carlos A. Sanchez-Martir, 26, of 72 Prospect St., Springfield and Julio L. Santiago, II, 32, of 32 Osgood, Springfield, were arrested and each charged with felony breaking and entering daytime, malicious destruction of property under $250 and larceny over $250.
Westfield Police cleared the house, found no other suspects and contacted the homeowner.
Staff Writer Christine Charnosky can be reached at [email protected]
