AUBURN — A police dog led officers to two people who ran into the woods behind a shopping plaza after allegedly stealing tools from Home Depot on Thursday.
Police said 39-year-old Jose Rosario of Worcester loaded a shopping cart with tools and left the store without paying. Samantha Neary, 31, formerly of Greenfield, met him near the tree line and the pair began concealing the items in the brush, witnesses told authorities.
Officers Matthew Rodwill and Matthew Laskes were first on the scene and identified where the suspects had entered the woods. Lt. Tarckini, Detective Sgt. Lamoreaux, Detective Alexandrovich and Officer Miglionico established a perimeter while Officer David Ljunggren and his K9 partner Biza—who were returning from training—joined the search.
After only a few minutes, Biza located both suspects hiding in dense undergrowth. Officers recovered the stolen tools and returned them to Home Depot.
Police also discovered Rosario had three outstanding warrants and Neary had five. Both were arraigned Friday in Worcester District Court on the shoplifting charges and their existing warrants.
