DANVILLE – Two local men suspected of breaking into a house Monday morning told police they were hired to clean the residence, but a suspicious sergeant knew better when he found them carrying a pry bar and pipe-cutting tools.

The men, John McGregor, 26, of Lewis Lane, Hampstead, and Ryan LaPlante, 32, of 13 Maple St, Derry, were arrested outside the home at 228 Sandown Road and charged with burglary and possession of burglary tools.

Sgt. Ryan Furman responded to the residence around 8 a.m. after a neighbor reported seeing two suspicious men walking behind the house.

According to police, there were no vehicles or people in the yard when Furman arrived, but as he approached the residence, LaPlante and McGregor were spotted quickly leaving through a basement door.

Police Chief Wade Parsons said Furman believes the men saw him approaching the house and then turned around to leave.

Furman detained the men and police officers from Sandown and Fremont were called to the scene to help.

Police said McGregor and LaPlante told the officers they worked on foreclosed homes and were hired to clean the house. However, Furman knew the homeowner and didn't buy the story.

McGregor and LaPlante had a pry bar and pipe cutting tools in their possession at the time of their arrest.

Based on the tools found in their possession, Parsons said the men were likely planning to steal copper. Police plan to check with other departments to see if they may be connected to thefts in the area.

Parsons praised the neighbor for notifying police right away.

“Obviously that phone call saved a lot of aggravation for the homeowner,” Parsons said.

Both were transported to the Rockingham County jail and held overnight on $5,000 cash bail. A judge kept bail at $5,000 cash or surety at their arraignment Tuesday in the 10th Circuit Court-District Division in Plaistow.

The men are due back in court July 26 at 10 a.m. for a probable cause hearing.