A Hernando County deputy who was working an off-duty detail at the Hernando County Airport surprised two would-be burglars late Saturday night, officials said.
Gordon Siedzik, 33, and Brian Hale, 31, were arrested Saturday night on charges of attempted burglary.
Deputy Jay Weber was working off-duty at the airport when, during one of his patrols of the fence line near U.S. 41 and American Aviation, he saw a suspicious Jeep Wrangler near the wood line, investigators said.
Weber called for backup, then went to investigate further. Deputies said he noticed the window and tailgate were open, despite no one being around, and that there was an empty gas can and a section of garden hose in the rear of the Jeep. Weber said he hadn't seen the Jeep the last time he patrolled the area, 30 minutes earlier.
Deputies began searching the area using air units and a K-9. The K-9 tracked Siedzik along the wood line, to the fence line of the airport, and found him trying to hide in the brush, deputies said.
Siedzik was taken into custody by deputies. A further search of the area revealed additional gasoline containers, near the area Siedzik had been hiding, deputies said.
Deputies said Siedzik told them he and Hale had arrived at the airport with the goal of breaking into the secured area and stealing gasoline for Hale's vehicle. Siedzik told deputies that he and Hale had run into the woods to avoid being seen, the report said.
Two hours later, Hale was found near Spring Hill Drive, near the airport property. Deputies said Hale told them he was inside the fenced area when deputies arrived. He said he then climbed over the fence and threw away the gasoline container, the report said.
The two men were taken to the Hernando County Detention Center, where they were held on $5,000.