ELYRIA — A heavy overnight snowfall helped Elyria Police officers track two men suspected of breaking into Johnny K’s Motorsports early Thursday morning, leading to their arrest minutes after the burglary.
According to a press release from the Elyria Police Department, officers responded to multiple alarm activations at the dealership at about 4:16 a.m. on January 15. When officers arrived, they found shattered glass at the east entrance of the building and fresh footprints in the snow leading away from the scene.
The city was experiencing significant snowfall at the time, which allowed officers to clearly follow the suspects’ tracks. The store’s representative later confirmed that two dirt bikes worth more than $11,000 had been taken.
Officers followed the footprints through a wooded area, where the stolen dirt bikes were found abandoned. The tracks continued across the water and into an apartment complex on West River Road North.
Inside the building, officers located two men hiding under a staircase. Police identified the suspects as 21-year-old Alan Rodriguez-Feliciano and 21-year-old Jean Vazquez-Irlanda, both of Elyria. Officers reported that the pair were dressed in dark clothing and wearing ski masks. Rodriguez-Feliciano later admitted to breaking the glass door and entering the store with Vazquez-Irlanda.
Both men were arrested without incident and booked into the Lorain County Jail. They are being held without bond pending their initial court appearance.
Rodriguez-Feliciano is charged with two counts of theft, breaking and entering, vandalism and obstructing official business. Vazquez-Irlanda faces the same charges.
The recovered dirt bikes were returned to Johnny K’s Motorsports.
Captain Bill Lantz said the timing of the break-in worked strongly against the suspects.
“These suspects chose just about the worst possible time to try something like this. A snowstorm doesn’t make for a clean getaway. Our officers made quick work of it and ensured these suspects will answer for their actions,” Lantz said.
For more information, contact the Elyria Police Department’s Public Information Office at 440-326-1214.