Homeowners helped police catch a would-be burglar after waking up to a loud noise early Tuesday morning, spotting a flashlight beam and calling 911.
Police said Jose Pagan, 23, of Hamden, broke into a home on Maplewood Terrace around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. He allegedly rummaged through a car parked in the driveway, then snuck in through a "dog door" in the back of the house.
"I've seen burglars enter through many different entryways," said Hamden Police Captain Ron Smith. "Through a dog door, which is very small, I haven't seen that."
Pagan grabbed electronic equipment and tried to leave with it but made a loud noise that awakened the residents, according to police. Authorities said the homeowners called the police after spotting the intruder holding a flashlight.
Officers arrived to find Pagan standing in the mud room, holding electronics, according to police.
He was arrested and charged with first-degree burglary, third-degree burglary, third-degree larceny and second-degree criminal mischief.
Pagan was held on $10,000 bond and is due in court July 28.
