QUINCY - Two Quincy residents and a Grant County sheriff's deputy were commended for their part in helping police catch five burglars.

Gary and Carla Wilson, along with Deputy Mike Earney, received commendations from Quincy police during a recent city council meeting.

The Wilsons called 9-1-1 to report suspicious activity in their neighborhood on Jan. 15. Quincy police and the Grant County Sheriff's Office responded to the call, Police Capt. Gene Fretheim stated.

"While searching the neighborhood Deputy Earney observed that the residence at 312 K St. SW appeared to be vacant and the back door was open," Fretheim read to the audience. "As Deputy Earney approached the open back door he heard voices coming from the basement and he smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the house."

Earney called for the subjects to come out of the basement, and the people complied, according to the commendation. Five people were arrested for residential burglary.

Fretheim commended the Wilsons for watching out for their neighborhood and being willing to get involved by reporting the suspicious activity.

"Without your involvement it is most probable that these perpetrators of criminal activity would have gone undetected," he said. "We thank you for the key role that you played in this incident and encourage you to continue to be good stewards of your neighborhood."

Earney was commended for observing the apparently vacant house, leading to the arrest of the five suspects, Fretheim said.

Mayor Jim Hemberry appreciated the Quincy police for commending the officers and residents, saying it's important for people to bring issues about the police to council and it's important to recognize police when they're doing their job.

"I definitely commend the Wilsons. One of the things we're working on with our block watch program is trying to encourage people to tell us when they see things," he said. "The police can't do anything if you don't tell them it's happening."