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An alarm activation at a Benicia business late Sunday night resulted in the arrest of two Novato residents who broke into the Getty Court business just after 10 pm. Jeffrey Dalton, 41, and Laura Leppanen, 40, both of Novato were arrested and booked into the Solano County Jail in Fairfield for burglary. In addition, Dalton was also booked for the misdemeanor violation of possession of drug paraphernalia. Suspected methamphetamine was found on Leppanen and she was also booked on that felony charge. Dalton is on probation out of Marin County for burglary.

Benicia officers responded to the alarm at Cole Janitorial Supply on the 500 block of Getty Court in the city's Industrial Park at 10:10 pm. As Benicia Police Officer Aldo Serrano arrived, he saw a male subject - later identified as Dalton - walking in a lot near the building but the subject disappeared before the officer could contact him.

Benicia Police Sergeant Roger Yokoi requested the assistance of the Solano County Sheriff's Office Canine Unit to assist in search the building and the area. While awaiting the arrival of the Canine Unit, Officer Serrano heard noises from some bushes near the building. As he approached, a female ran from the bushes but stopped upon his command. Leppanen was identified as the woman and taken into custody.

Once the Canine Unit arrived, a search of the building and the area was conducted by the male subject was not found. At 10:35 pm, Benicia Police Officer Mitchell Alvarez located Dalton walking alongside the business and Dalton was taken into custody without incident. Officers determined that Dalton had gained entry to an adjoining vacant business and had parked his car in a vacant warehouse next to Cole's. Officer's recovered cell phones and some petty cash taken from the janitorial business.

Benicia police are still trying to determine what led the couple to this particular business in the Industrial Park. Questions relative to this press release can be directed to Benicia Police Lt. Mike Daley at (707)590-4259 or via email.