PEA RIDGE — The third suspect in a residential burglary was arrested Jan. 18

Victor Junior Valdez, 21, of Lowell, was arrested by Pea Ridge Police with assistance from Deputy First Class Mike Wedgewood, with his dog, Hugo, and Corporal Greg Stevenson, both with the Crime Suppression Unit of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

Upon arriving at the residence where Valdez was believed to be, police were told he was not there. When officers arrived at the second residence, that of Valdez’s father, deputies staged around the residence while Pea Ridge Police Officer Chris Olson approached the front door.

Victor Valdez Sr. told officers his son was not at the residence, but officers saw activity in the house.

When the younger Valdez fled through the back door and began to climb over a fence, Wedgewood and Hugo surprised him, causing him to run back into the residence.

In the house, Valdez was initially uncooperative.

He was arrested by Pea Ridge Police on a felony warrant for burglary and theft of property.

Valdez was also charged with two misdemeanors - contributing to the delinquency of a minor and theft by receiving.

The contributing charge isbecause two juveniles were believed to be with him when the burglary was committed.

Valdez was a passenger in a car driven by Mario Mata, 16, of Rogers, when they were stopped for a traffic violation in Pea Ridge. Irais Garcia, 17, who was listed as a runaway, was also in the vehicle.

The burglary was discovered Jan. 1 when a resident returned to his home on Washburn Drive and found the back door open and items missing. Items matching the description of the missing items were found in the vehicle in which Valdez was riding when arrested for the traffic stop.

“Good police instincts and following through on the information received led to this arrest,” Pea Ridge Police Chief Tim Ledbetter said. “We want to thank the Benton County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance.

“We’re very pleased with the way this dog is working out,”BCSO Capt. Mike Jones said.

“I give credit to the deputies and officers working as a team.

They are a great benefit and helped in the apprehension of this suspect.”

Jones said the Crime Suppression Unit is comprised deputies who are assigned to high profile and high risk situations and travel the county assisting other agencies.

Victor Junior Valdez Jr. is in the Benton County Jail in lieu of a $15,000 bond.

News, Pages 1 on 01/26/2011