Moose Jaw police have charged a suspect in relation to a pair of break-ins late last week.

At approximately 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 18, officers were dispatched to a home on the 200 block of Athabasca Street West for a break and enter in progress, police said in a news release Monday.

Once they arrived, police searched the home and surrounding area – but failed to find the suspect.

While still on the scene, officers received word that a second break-in was in progress at a home on the 100 block of Stadacona Street West.

Officers responded, set up a perimeter and began searching for the suspect. Approximately 30 minutes later, police say they found the suspect in an alleyway behind the residence and arrested him.

As a result of the incidents, a 41-year-old has been charged with two counts of break and enter. He made his first appearance in provincial court later that day.

As a note in its news release, the police service thanked the public for sharing information through social media – while also encouraging members of the public to “refrain from making assumptions surrounding the circumstances of an incident.”

“We ask the public to report concerns directly to the police for follow-up and verification.”