Two men were due to appear before Newton Aycliffe magistrates today after they were charged with breaking into properties, after serious ‘leg work’ from a police dog and its handler.
Around 1am on Sunday morning, police received a report of suspicious activity in the Low Coniscliffe area of Darlington where a number of vehicles, garages and outhouses had been broken into.
Officers sent to the scene found a number of items, including a mobile phone which had been discarded and they began a search for the offenders.
Support was called for from the force’s dog section and over a distance of between three to four miles police dog ‘Bosco’ and his handler, PC Martin Gingell followed a trail which eventually led them to a house in Malvern Crescent, Darlington.
Four men were arrested at the address and two of them, aged 20 and 22, were due before magistrates at Newton Aycliffe today charged with burglary and theft from a motor vehicle.
The other two have been bailed pending further enquiries until the end of March.
Det Insp Phil Curtis said: “Bosco, his handler and all the officers on this case checked houses, vehicles and discarded property in freezing weather conditions for over two hours.
“This was excellent police work which has resulted in two people being charged for various offences.”