3 burglars nabbed during act

Phoenix police took three men into custody Thursday afternoon after a neighbor called to report the trio attempting to break into a home.

Police think the three may be responsible for other area burglaries.

They also gave credit for the quick arrests on the good samaritan who called authorities.

“He did the right thing,” said Office Rick Tamburo.

According to Sgt. Frank Matsko, the men were allegedly trying to break into a home in the 3600 block of East Cathedral Rock Drive around 12:40 p.m. when police arrived. Two men were quickly taken into custody and a third was stopped a few blocks away in a vehicle. In that car, officers reported that they found a small caliber handgun that was reported stolen in California.

The men, one of whom is thought to live in Ahwatukee Foothills and the other two in Chandler, match the description of the suspects in an attempted burglary Wednesday where three black males were seen rushing from an apartment near Ray Road and 42nd Street, armed with a handgun.

In that case, police say that loot was piled up near a door and that only the sudden appearance of a woman visiting a neighbor scared the burglars away.

The names of the three suspects were not available at press time.