LAWRENCE - "It's like a belated Christmas present."

That is how Andy Jimenez felt when he learned that two suspects involved in the capture of his son, Spc. Alex Jimenez, 25, and Pvt. Byron Fouty, 19, were detained by U.S. troops this week.

"Every time I hear any news it makes me happy," said Jimenez, 53, of Albion Street. "I also get renewed hope because they are getting closer to finding them."

The latest two detainees on Monday and Tuesday are among a dozen suspects taken in by U.S. officials in connection with Jimenez and Fouty's disappearance in an ambush May 12.

In addition, U.S. troops killed 11 members of the Mahdi Army, the militia loyal to the anti-American Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr, American officials said.

In a statement, the military said one of the suspects nabbed in Ramadi earlier this week is believed to have "facilitated" the ambush, and used his house to hide the soldiers.

Jimenez's M-249 automatic weapon was found among a cache of weapons in October at the home of the second suspect detained this week.

Jimenez of Lawrence and Fouty of Waterford, Mich., were captured on May 12 when insurgents attacked and overran a checkpoint near Youssifiyah, about 12 miles south of Baghdad, an area known as the "triangle of death."

Also captured that day was Pfc. Joseph Anzack Jr. of Torrance, Calif., whose body was found two weeks later in the Euphrates River. Four U.S. soldiers and an Iraqi soldier were killed in the ambush.

Andy Jimenez said the past eight months have been a nightmare as he awaits word of the whereabouts of his son. He said prayers and support from family members, friends, the community at large and strangers from across the country keep him strong. Jimenez spent Christmas with his youngest son, Bryant, 16, and a friend, who both traveled from New York.

"Every day is difficult because we don't know what situation they are in, if they are eating or sleeping. Let's hope more news comes our way," said Jimenez.

Jimenez was doing construction work in Methuen when he received a call from Francisco Urena, director of veterans services in Lawrence, who told him about the new developments in Iraq.

"I was elated," Jimenez said. "It reinforces my continued belief that everything will turn out well."

Soon after, he called Mick Fouty, the father of Byron Fouty.

Urena found out about it on the Internet and after receiving several calls.

"To me, anytime I have good news to tell him is very satisfying," Urena said. "It shows him that they are looking for them. I've been there, and I know that they are.

"The timing could not be better. This is more than finding the suspects - it might prevent another family from going through this," Urena said.