Area police had a very busy few hours Wednesday. They were at two different break-ins. And at one of them, thieves got away with several guns. Both happened in Rock island County, less than two hours apart.
Officers were first called to Big Island in Milan, to the 28-hundred block of 54th Avenue West for a home invasion. Then, just six miles away, Moline police responded to a burglary in progress in the 35-hundred block of 12th Street Court, where they were able to catch the criminals in the act.
Police say they were called to the home by someone reporting two men breaking in through the front door. Detective Scott Williams says, "The first responding officer did watch as two males exited the rear of the residence and ran westbound." Officers gave chase, and five minutes later, caught two men.
26-year old Ortiz Marangeli and 29-year old Luis Aadera-Martinez told police they are from Texas. No one was hurt. No word on what may have been taken from the house. And no word on whether this is related to a home invasion in Milan. "As of right now, we have no idea," Williams says.
What police do know is that they responded to a report of two masked men carrying a gun entering the house, and taking off with three firearms that had been inside. The owner was not hurt. But police have been unable so far to find those men, asking anyone with any information to call them or Crimestoppers.
They are also looking for a white SUV that was seen in the area of the Moline break-in. They think that truck is connected to it.
