Police Capture 2 Suspects in Home Invasion on St. Charles

A St. Charles Street resident was able to call police from inside a home while a burglary was in progress Thursday afternoon, and two suspects from Hartford were in custody,  said.

Police said two men entered the house by breaking through the front door, apparently unaware anyone was inside.

The suspects fled the house as officers were arriving and were captured shortly after 2 p.m., police said.

One of the suspects was subdued with a Taser, and the other surrendered under the threat of a Taser, police said.

Israel Caez, 37, of 76 Hughes St., and Gilberto Mendez, 35, of 567 New Britain Ave. were each charged with home invasion, first-degree burglary, second-degree criminal mischief, third-degree larceny and interfering with an officer.

Caez was also charged with drug possession and was held on a $250,000 bond, police said. Mendez was held on a $150,000 bond. Each was expected to be arraigned today in Hartford Superior Court.

Police said the resident remained on the phone with a 911 operator while the men were in the home.

Other details were unavailable late Thursday.