Off-duty officer spots suspicious pair, stops potential break

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November 27, 2009

By Chris Cassidy The Salem News Fri Nov 27, 2009, 06:00 AM EST

BEVERLY — An off-duty Beverly police officer likely prevented a Gloucester Crossing business from being robbed yesterday morning after spotting suspicious men near the building.

Officer William Barror was on his way to work around 8 a.m. when he saw a man acting as a lookout for another man who was in the back of the business, according to Beverly Police Lt. Chris Negrotti.

Barror called for additional police officers, who arrived to find the phone and electrical wires to the business cut and one of the men in possession of snippers, Negrotti said.

Police arrested Brian Soucy, 30, of 41 Grant St., Beverly, and Francis Coughlin, 28, of 42 Grant St., Beverly, and charged them with attempted breaking and entering in the daytime, malicious destruction of property and possession of burglarious tools.

Negrotti declined to identify the business or the type of business that was targeted because the suspects may have dismantled the alarm system, he said.

Negrotti said Barror's actions "absolutely" prevented a burglary.

"They never got in," said Negrotti. "As soon as the officer saw them acting suspicious, he called the station and they got there."

The suspects were known to police, Negrotti said.

"We have had several break-ins in this Gloucester Crossing area within the past month or so," said Negrotti. "They're both being held on high bail and being held at Middleton Jail right now. I'd like to think hopefully we put an end to it."

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