POMONA, Calif., Apr. 18, 2007
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(AP) Two men were arrested Tuesday after they mistakenly called 911 when they were trying to page a drug dealer, police said. Paul White, 38, and Ryan Ogle, 25, punched 911 as an urgent code to the dealer when they made the call from a pay phone around 3 a.m., Sgt. Michael Olivieri said.
"No one said criminals are smart," Olivieri said.
Police traced the call and directed a patrol officer to the pay phone. When he arrived, the officer saw two men standing near the phone and a parked vehicle. A run of the car's license plate showed it was reported stolen.
The officer searched the men and the car and found possible burglary tools, including saws, bolt cutters and a shaved ignition key. While in custody, officers also found a broken methamphetamine pipe hidden by one of the men, possibly in an attempt to destroy evidence.
"When they were interviewing afterward they admitted they were in a hurry for dope and made an error in dialing," Olivieri said.
The men were booked for investigation of auto theft, possession of burglary tools, destruction of evidence and parole violation.
Ogle was cited on a misdemeanor charge and released. White, who was on parole for a previous burglary violation, was being held on a parole violation, police said.