Pet dogs scare off accused burglars quick police work catches suspects

      MOUNT OLIVE (2/27/08) – Police here are crediting the barking of two pet dogs of a Camelot Drive family last night for foiling what they say appeared to have been a planned burglary.

      According to Police Officer Russ Russ Hatzel the owner of the home was awakened just before midnight by the dogs barking. When he went to the front of the house he heard two men talking on the porch who apparently had just been in the house.  He called police and gave them a description of the two suspects.

     The alleged burglars, apparently hearing the dogs barking, made a hasty retreat to their automobile which was about a half mile from the home. Police found them within a few minutes, according to Hatzel, who also said burglary tools were found in the car.

    Police Chief Mark Spitzer commended all of the police officers and the Morris County Sheriff’s Department Canine and Criminal Investigation Unit for their “excellent teamwork.”

   The accused were identified as Morris T. Cooper, 19, of Budd Lake and Alex Rivera, 21, of Dover.  They were charged with burglary, criminal trespass, criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools.  They were remanded to the Morris County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail each.