Alert dog, owner foil attempted burglary

Awakened by his pet's yelp, a man calls police who arrive in time to arrest two men who police say planned to break into a Seminole Boulevard business.

By CHRIS TISCH

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 24, 2001

LARGO -- Ladybug only had to bark once to rouse Douglas Griffin.

The 8-pound Yorkie yelped just before 3 a.m. Tuesday, waking Griffin from his bed. He looked out his window and saw two men, both clad in dark clothes. Black socks covered their hands and black stocking caps were pulled over their heads.

They were atop a trailer and were preparing to jump onto the roof of a strip of businesses near Griffin's home in the 400 block of Seminole Boulevard. The burglars, who were holding pliers, cut the burglar alarm.

"They looked like the Ninja Turtles," Griffin said Tuesday. "They were all blacked up. Black hats. It was real spooky."

Griffin, 53, flipped off the lights. Then he found the phone and dialed 911.

Largo police officers were at the business in minutes, flushing both burglars from the roof. One suspect got away for a while, but a Pinellas Sheriff's Office dog traced him to his home.

The other suspect was caught near the business, police said.

Police said it appeared the men were trying to enter the Dublin House Pub, 479 Seminole Blvd. There are other businesses in that building, including a veterinarian and a tattoo parlor.

Officers charged the man arrested at the business, Joseph T. Dunn, 21, of 1702 Canterbury Lane, with burglary and possession of burglary tools. The other man, Owen Richman Harn, 20, of 107 Seventh Ave. SE, was charged with burglary, resisting arrest without violence and threatening a public official.

Police said Harn tried to run from officers and deputies, then had to be pepper-sprayed and taken to the ground. He also threatened to slit a female officer's throat, arrest reports state.

Neither Dunn nor Harn has an extensive criminal history in Pinellas County, but their getup seems somewhat professional to police. Police are investigating whether they may be responsible for other recent crimes, police spokesman Mac McMullen said.

Griffin said he was happy he could help capture the suspects, and police said his action is a great example of residents helping prevent crime.

"It's a fundamental of neighborhood watch -- looking out for the other guy," McMullen said. "We describe them as capable guardians. It's not necessarily a nosy neighbor, but someone who reports suspicious activity to police.

"He certainly can be described as a capable guardian in the classic sense by his actions this morning."

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