The St. Cloud Police Department arrested two men accused of stealing appliances from homes under construction in the city.
Gabriel Sarmiento, 26, and Michael Torres Colon, 24, were arrested Tuesday after a resident called police about suspicious activity in the Live Oak Lake community off U.S. 192 east of Narcoossee Road.
When officers arrived in the area, they saw the pair driving separately in a moving truck and a sedan. The suspects briefly attempted to flee from officers but were apprehended when they drove down a dead-end street.
Inside the rental truck police found several home appliances including ovens, dishwashers, and refrigerators, which were later confirmed to be missing from properties by nearby homes under construction. Police also found illegal narcotics and a handgun in the vehicle. Additional investigation showed the rental truck was stolen.
Sarmiento and Torres Colon face charges of burglary to an unoccupied dwelling, grand theft, trespass on construction site, criminal mischief, grand theft auto, and drug and paraphernalia possession; all but one are felonies.
"These acts have no business in our community and will not be tolerated," said St. Cloud Police Chief Douglas Goerke. "Criminals who think St. Cloud will offer an easy score are sorely mistaken, and we will use all resources to bring them swiftly to justice."
