The University of Arizona Police Department honored three students yesterday for helping to catch two men who broke into a vehicle two weeks ago.

Pasquale Fuscaldo, Warren Meredith and Kevin Maeyama, all undeclared freshmen, were walking home around 4 a.m. on Feb. 18 when they heard a car alarm and saw two men breaking into a car parked on North Highland Avenue and East Fourth Street.

After seeing they were being watched, the two men left the area and Fuscaldo immediately called police.

“”We sent Warren over to close the trunk,”” Fuscaldo said. “”I told him to close it with his sleeve because I didn’t want his fingerprints on it.””

Meredith began to follow the suspects as Fuscaldo and Maeyama directed police to their location.

“”I didn’t want them to get away,”” Meredith said. “”I’ve had my car broken into before, and I know how it is.””

Police located the suspects near the Main Library, 1510 E. University Blvd., and arrested them for underage drinking, criminal damage and burglary after the students identified them as the men who broke into the vehicle.

“”They noted something was wrong, notified police and followed the individuals at a safe distance,”” said Sgt. Eugene Mejia, UAPD spokesman. “”(They did) exactly what we want people to do.””

About 15 UAPD officers and employees were present to see the three students rewarded with a certificate of appreciation, a “”partners in community”” pen and the new department coin as a token for their hard work, which they were told not to spend anywhere.

“”I’m speechless,”” Fuscaldo said.

Mejia said UAPD relies heavily on the help of the surrounding community to make campus a safer place.

“”It’s easy to sit back and not do anything,”” Mejia said. “”These three picked the more difficult task.””

A friend of the victim, who is not a UA student, was also there to thank the students for their help.

“”The irony in all this is the person’s car that was broken into was from ASU,”” Chief of Police Anthony Daykin said.