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K-9 officer plays large role in tracking down burglary suspects in Bloomfield

BLOOMFIELD, Pa. — Two men accused of breaking into a Bloomfield store early Friday morning were arrested after a police chase and search involving a K-9 officer.

According to the police report, officers were called to a store on Cypress Street for a burglary in progress.

Witnesses told authorities that they saw two white men dressed in dark clothing break the front window of the store.

Upon arrival, officers said they noticed two men fitting the description of the suspects and one was carrying two white bags.

The officer and the K-9 ordered the men to stop, and one of them, Philip Beglinger, complied. The other man, Erick Pittman, tried running away.

The officers tracked Pittman, 29, to a garage and the K-9 officer was released to find him.

Pittman was transported to UPMC Mercy Hospital for medical clearance from the encounter with the K-9 and then taken to the Allegheny County Jail.

Beglinger, 29, was also taken to Allegheny County Jail.

During questioning, the men told police they broke into the store because they wanted cigarettes. Officers said they found about $600 worth of tobacco products stolen from the store.