Three in custody in Merced home burglary

Three people were taken into custody Friday night after Merced police say officers foiled a burglary.

The incident was reported just before 9:30 p.m. near West 21st and G streets, according to police. Officers responded after being tipped off by witnesses. Police spotted a black Ford pickup loaded with a washer and dryer eastbound in an alley.

Officers stopped the truck in the 2000 block of G Street and the occupants -- Roy Burdett, 44, Christopher Reyes, 31, and Alfredo Ceccoli, 40 -- were detained, police said.

Police checked a home on West 21st Street and found that the house had been burglarized and the owners were out of town. Witnesses said several males had entered the home and left carrying items toward the alley.

Police said the robbers had taken the home's washer and dryer, in addition to several digital cameras, clothing and food. In addition to a washer and dryer, nearly a half ounce of methamphetamine was found in the suspects' truck, police said.

Burdett, Reyes and Ceccoli were arrested and booked at the Merced County Jail on suspicion of residential burglary.