2 are charged in break-in of officer's home

4/24/2003

Two South Toledo young men were charged with breaking into the home of a CSX police officer and taking two handguns, a shotgun, jewelry, and police equipment.

Juan Chapa, 19, of 832 Vinton St., was charged with one count of burglary for the incident Tuesday in the 1300 block of Almon Avenue. He was being held last night in the Lucas County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bond on the charge and two unrelated offenses.

A 17-year-old was taken to the Lucas County Juvenile Detention Center and charged with one count of delinquency in connection with burglary.

A third suspect, described as a light-skinned black male about 5 feet, 7 inches tall, has not been arrested.

A neighbor said she saw one of the suspects approach the home and try the front door. He walked south on Almon and got into a car with the other suspects. The three walked up to the house and through the front door, police said.

The neighbor called another neighbor, who tried to confront the suspects as they left. The trio ran. Police stopped their car near Arlington and Hampton avenues, and they again ran. Mr. Chapa was found in a garage on Toronto Avenue. The 17-year-old was arrested on Ogden Avenue, police said.