Top Cops:Robert Burgos and Kevin Middleton

For tracking down a suspect who had just committed a burglary, Suffolk County police officers Robert Burgos and Kevin Middleton were named the Fifth Precinct's Cops of the Month.

According to police, the two officers were on patrol in Patchogue Village on March 13 when Burgos, at 4:45 a.m., they noticed a man standing outside a red Chevrolet Cavalier parked on Main Street.

Burgos and Middleton approached the man, who abruptly got in the car and took off without his headlights on.

After making a U-turn and almost hitting Burgos, the driver tried to run Middleton off the road, Middleton said. The driver then headed down a pedestrian alleyway and ended up on Main Street.

"He got about a quarter-mile before he lost control," Middleton said, and hit a building on Ryder Avenue.

The driver then ran, and Officer Middleton caught up with him a few feet away.

Burgos and Middleton went back to the suspect's car and noticed a black cash register in the front seat. They alerted other officers to check businesses in the area where the suspect was originally spotted. It was discovered that there was a smashed window at the BrickHouse Brewery on West Main Street and its cash register was missing.

The suspect was arrested and charged with third-degree burglary.

Burgos has been with the Suffolk police department since September 2000, and was a deputy probation officer for seven years in San Diego. He has received seven Department Recognition Awards, a Command Recognition Award, three Letters of Appreciation, an Excellent Police Duty Award and two prior Cop of the Month Awards during his tenure with Suffolk County.

Middleton has received three Department Recognition Awards, two Command Recognition Awards, two Letter of Appreciation, and a prior Cop of the Month Award. Middleton is retiring in two weeks, after more than 28 years with the Suffolk police force.

-- Stacey Altherr