OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Ocala Police Department (OPD) says they arrested three illegal immigrants who attempted to steal a safe containing $50,000 worth of guns, jewelry and money.
OPD released body and dash cam footage of the arrest which took place on March 1, just after 8 p.m.
Police say they responded to a call from a person witnessing three masked men breaking into a neighboring house in southeast Ocala.
OPD says when an officer arrived on the scene, the men took off in a vehicle. Police say there was a short vehicle pursuit before the trio ultimately surrendered peacefully.
Police booked 51-year-old Eziquel Gines-Chaname, 25-year-old Matias Meza-Riveros, 27-year-old Diego Zuniga-Llanquin into the Marion County Jail and charged them with multiple felony offenses.
OPD says the men are not U.S. citizens and are in the country illegally.
“We’d like to also acknowledge the vigilant neighbors whose prompt reporting played a critical role in our success,” said OPD in a Facebook post. “We continue to encourage our community to report any suspicious activity immediately. Working together, we can keep our neighborhoods safe.”