WATSONVILLE — A Watsonville man was arrested on suspicion of residential burglary Sunday on the 100 block of Eileen Street.
Watsonville Police Cpl. Rudy Lopez said witnesses called police just after 5 a.m. to report two men, spotted on security cameras, in a building on Eileen Street. Both suspects had flashlights and were going through the property, Lopez said.
The residence has been burglarized six times in the past year, Lopez said.
Officers arrived in the area and set a perimeter around the residence. As officers approached the residence, the suspects fled out the rear of the structure into a heavily wooded area.
Officer Javier Ayala and his K-9, Axel, were called to assist with the search of the suspects. Officers made numerous announcements asking the suspects to surrender with no response.
Around 6:30 a.m., Ayala and Axel located a suspect hiding in a heavily brushed area nearby. Lopez said officers gave the suspect numerous warnings to surrender. The suspect refused to surrender and Axel apprehended the suspect and he was taken into custody. He was identified as Jose Rodriguez, 34.
Rodriguez was found to have multiple warrants, including a felony warrant for an unrelated burglary. He was transported to the hospital for medical clearance and later transported to County Jail. The second suspect was not located, Lopez said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the WPD Investigation Division at 768-3350 or the Crime Tip Line at 768-3544.
