By SANDY McGEE

BELLINGHAM — Police and residents chased two Woonsocket men through a neighborhood Tuesday morning after the men allegedly were discovered robbing a home on North Main Street.

Sgt. Richard Perry of the Bellingham Police Department was on routine patrol Tuesday when he spotted two suspicious men exiting a residence at 138 North Main St. around 10:43 a.m., according to police. The two men were carrying “dark colored objects,” including one item that looked like a metal lock box, said Lt. Kevin Ranieri of the Bellingham Police Department.
“He (Perry) went by the residence, spun the cruiser around and called for backup,” Ranieri said. The two men immediately took off on foot, heading northwest toward the Wethersfield neighborhood.
Additional police units, including members of the State Police in the vicinity, were called to assist in the chase.
One of the suspects, who was later identified as 21 year old Jeffrey Pare of 158 Rathbun St., Woonsocket, apparently ran into a home on Annmarie Drive to escape his pursuers.
An elderly woman was in the house on Annmarie Drive at the time of the apparent intrusion, according to police. She was frightened, but not harmed by the assailant, according to Ranieri.
Pare was immediately discovered hiding in the dwelling’s bathroom, according to police. He was taken into custody after a brief struggle with officers, said Ranieri.
Pare was charged with malicious destruction of property or dwelling; breaking and entering in the daytime for a felony; larceny over $250 for single scheme; and breaking and entering daytime for a felony with person in fear.
About an hour after the first suspect was apprehended, police said they received a call from a Temi Road resident who reported they had located the other suspect.
The Temi Road resident, a male reportedly in his 50s, had chased and physically restrained the other suspect. Police later identified the suspect as 26 year old Orlando Valentin of 6 Highland St., Woonsocket.
Valentin was arrested and charged with malicious destruction of property or dwelling; breaking and entering in the daytime for a felony; and larceny over $250 for a single scheme.
He was also wanted on several warrants at the time of his arrest, according to police. The warrants stemmed from previous charges, including disturbing the peace, evading bus fare, motor vehicle lights violation and the unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
Police later discovered the metal lock box taken from the North Main Street home. The box, which was allegedly dropped by the suspects during the chase, contained “very little money,” said Ranieri.
Police are also working to identify a third suspect involved in the incident, according to the lieutenant. The third individual was apparently operating a vehicle, which drove off at the start of the chase.
Ranieri complimented Perry and his fellow officers for the arrests.
“This was very good police work,” Ranieri said. “All of the officers and the assistance from the State Police was very much appreciated, especially to be able to apprehend them as quickly as they did.”
Officer Joseph Cataldo of the Bellingham Police Department apparently injured his leg during the chase. The officer was transported by Bellingham Rescue to the Milford Regional Medical Center, where he was treated for minor injuries, according to Ranieri.
Pare was also transported to Milford Regional Medical Center after he requested treatment for a pre-existing medical condition. He was kept overnight at the medical center, according to police.
Valentin and Pare were scheduled to appear for an arraignment on Wednesday in Milford District Court.