Two alleged burglars arrested after being caught in the act

Two men were arrested Wednesday afternoon after the victim’s father reportedly caught them breaking into a home.

“You lose your sense of security in your own home,” said Andy Pantoja, the victim’s father. “Like someone violated your privacy.”

The Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed that both men have previous arrests for home invasions, including one that proved deadly.

On Wednesday, Raymond Garces, 22, and Gabriel A. Polanco, 24, went to a home in the 300 block of Barred Rock Court around 4 p.m. Wednesday, according to court documents. Pantoja had gone to the house to pick up some auto parts and noticed an unfamiliar car in the driveway. The father told ABC-7 he saw a male subject, later identified as Polanco, loading a large, flat-screen television into the back of a maroon Chrysler sedan.

“My instincts were to follow them right away,” Pantoja said. “I didn’t want them to get away.”

Garces reportedly came out of the house a few minutes later and the two left in the Chrysler, with the witness following. The witness called 911 and attempted to follow the suspects on Doña Ana Road, reportedly reaching speeds of approximately 70 miles per hour.

During the chase, Polanco, who was the driver of the Chrysler, collided with another vehicle in the intersection of Doña Ana School Road. The driver of the other vehicle was not seriously injured.

“A poor innocent man got hit,” Pantoja said. “His vehicle got hit.”

Doña Ana County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Polanco and Garces. The Two flat-screen televisions that were allegedly taken from the victim’s home were recovered.

Both men were transported to the Doña Ana County Detention Center. Polanco was charged with burglary of a dwelling, failure to use due care, speeding, and possession of marijuana. Garces was charged with burglary of a dwelling. Both are being held without bond, pending arraignment.

Now, the father wants a judge to hold these two men to justice.

“Repeat offenders – I just think they need to be put away for as long as they can,” Pantoja said. “Because if they come out in two, three days, they’re back on the streets doing it again.”