The keen eye of a concerned citizen helped alert Grey Bruce OPP to a break-in at a home in the Township of Southgate.
Police were called about the incident around 12:14 p.m. on Tuesday after a person spotted several people running from a residence on Grey Road 9 near Road 61. The citizen told police the people were carrying suspected stolen property and left the area in a vehicle.
Officers quickly stopped a suspect vehicle with three people inside in Dundalk. Stolen property was also found and has since been returned to its owner.
A 43-year-old Southgate woman, a 48-year-old Melancthon woman, and a 44-year-old man of no fixed address were arrested. They are all charged with breaking and entering, possession of break-in instruments, theft under $5,000, and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
All three have been released from custody and are scheduled to appear in Owen Sound court in relation to the charges on February 4.
"The Grey Bruce OPP would like to thank the citizen who reported the suspicious activity," police said in a statement released on Wednesday. "Timely reporting from members of the public plays a vital role in helping police investigate crimes and hold offenders accountable."
Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity or believes a crime is in progress can call police at 911, if deemed an emergency, or 1-888-310-1122 for non-emergency incidents.
