METHUEN — An alert neighbor helped police nab three teens involved in a housebreak on Edgewood Avenue.
A neighbor called police Tuesday at 11 a.m. to report two people had just left the house with backpacks and walked down the street and met up with a girl and a baby.
Police caught up with the trio and recovered assorted jewelry and other property taken from the house. Police said the three took the items so they would have extra cash for Semana Hispana — Hispanic Week — festivities.
"This is a perfect example of the citizens working directly with us to help the community," said police Capt. Randy Haggar, commander of the Field Operations Bureau, of the break.
Arrested in the break were Paul Deoleo, 17, of 120 Railroad St., a 16-year-old Lawrence boy, and a 16-year-old Lawrence girl.
Deoleo and the 16-year-old boy were charged with breaking and entering in the daytime with intent to commit a felony, larceny over $250, and receiving stolen property over $250.
The 16-year-old girl will receive a summons to appear in court on charges of breaking and entering in the daytime with intent to commit a felony, larceny over $250, and receiving stolen property over $250.
In an unrelated case, police arrested a disgruntled former employee of Royal House Roast Beef on charges of breaking into the business and stealing $600 cash and credit card slips.
Police were called to the business at 4:58 a.m. Tuesday by a deliveryman who discovered damage to the door.
During the investigation, police checked with a business next door, which had surveillance video and discovered it showed a white 1999 Volkswagen Passat pulling into the back parking lot, and a man getting out of it.
The owners of Royal House Roast Beef, when shown the video, were able to identify the suspect as their nephew Arthur Markos, 39, of 3 Bolduc St.
Police said Markos was arrested about 9 a.m. Wednesday, and charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony, malicious destruction of property over $250, and larceny from a building.
