Police follow footprints on snow to catch burglary suspect

Gabriel Arroyo (Rochester Police photo)

GONIC - Police say they arrested a burglary suspect on Friday after following his footprints on snow from one Gonic residence that was broken into to two others that may have been burglarized to a store in Barrington where he was arrested a short time later.

Gabriel Arroyo, 27, of 4 Sugar Brook Road, Gonic, was charged with two counts of attempted burglary, one count of burglary, as well as possession of a controlled drug (Hydrocodone). All the charges are Class B felonies.

Rochester Police say they got a call around 1:20 p.m. from a homeowner on Flagg Road in Gonic who said he had come home to find his house broken into. When officers arrived they were able to locate footprints in the snow leading from the residence into the woods and followed them to two other residences in the area where burglaries or attempted burglaries had occurred.

After continuing to follow more of the footprints Rochester officers were able to catch up to the suspect just over the town line into Barrington at a Route. 125 business, where Arroyo was taken into custody.

Arroyo was held on $10,000 cash bail and transported to Strafford County Jail. His arraignment is scheduled for Monday at Rochester District Court.

Anyone with information about these crimes is encouraged to contact the Rochester Police Department at 330-7127. Alternatively, calls can be made to the Rochester Crimeline at 335-6500. All calls to the Rochester Crimeline will remain confidential and rewards may be given for information leading to an arrest. Tipsters can also text the Rochester Crimeline at Crimes (274637) in the body of the text, simply write TEXT4CASH followed by your tip.