Firearms and ammunition were among the stolen items Prince William police seized after catch-ing two accused burglars red-handed during a surveillance operation.
On Thursday morning, detectives set up surveillance in response to a string of daytime burglaries in the Bull Run Mountain area in Haymarket, said police spokeswoman Officer Erika Hernan-dez.
About 12:43 p.m., two teenage boys were seen trying to break into houses -- knocking on doors and peeking into windows, a common MO for burglars, Hernandez said.
The two ran into the woods after spotting the police and a perimeter was set up.
Two 17-year-olds from Haymarket were arrested without incident and each charged with five counts of burglary along with possession of a firearm by a minor, attempted burglary while in possession of a firearm, possession of burglary tools, conspiracy to commit grand larceny and possession of a stolen firearm, Hernandez said.
According to police, they were searched and found to be carrying loaded pistols -- one a .45 caliber the other a .380 semi-automatic. Police determined that both had been stolen.
The juveniles, whose names were not released because they are minors, were taken to the Ju-venile Detention Center and will have hearings in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
Between June 13 and 20, at least five residences were broken into in the 1700, 1800 and 2200 blocks of Mountain Road, the 15500 block of October Way and the 1900 block of Gore Drive, Hernandez said.
Police are estimating that more than $30,000 worth of property was stolen in those burglar-ies.
Among the items stolen were firearms, ammunition, jewelry, digital cameras, iPods, credit cards and collectible coins, Hernandez said.
According to police, entry was gained either by breaking windows or forcing doors.
Officers searched two homes on Youngs Drive in Haymarket following the arrests, some of the stolen items, Hernandez said.
Police Chief Charlie T. Deane said in a prepared statement: "The timely action in recogniz-ing this pattern of house burglaries and setting up surveillance resulted in the swift apprehension of these individuals while in the act of breaking into another house. That is crime prevention at its best!"
Staff writer Elisa Glushefski can be reached at 703-878-8062.
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