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Off-duty Tonawanda officer thwarts burglary in progress

Posted at 11:10 AM, Feb 22, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-22 11:12:02-05

A Tonawanda woman is facing charges after police say an off-duty officer caught her stealing from a home.

Investigators say 38-year-old Jennifer Dee entered a home on Tussing Lane while the homeowner was outside in the side yard.

Officer Adam Cruz says he saw Dee acting suspicious in his neighborhood and noticed she entered a side door of the residence. 

Police say Cruz determined Dee entered the home unlawfully and found her ransacking drawers in the victim's home. 

The 65-year-old homeowner says she had no idea who Dee was and never realized she was inside her home. Dee told police "she was a visiting nurse." 

Dee is charged with Burglary and Attempted Petit Larceny. 

Officer Cruz had just completed the Police Academy last week and is still in Field Training.