A burglary did not work out as planned for two DeKalb men Sunday night.

“These guys are not up for the rocket science award,” said DeKalb police Lt. Jim Kayes.

Police said a woman spotted the two men, later identified as Gary Patrick, 33, of 1116 W. Lincoln Highway, Apt. 119 and Michael Cooper, 24, of 534 College Ave., Apt. 17, acting suspiciously around a rooming house at 504 College Ave. at about 8:30 p.m.

The woman, who knew the resident, confronted the men and asked them what they were doing, Kayes said. One of the men then claimed he was interested in renting the house.

But when the actual resident arrived and confronted the men, they then claimed they had left a beer behind, Kayes said. After realizing the men had likely broken into the home, the resident grabbed Cooper and held him down while Patrick ran off.

Police arrived and took Cooper into custody, at which point it was discovered money had been taken from the home, Kayes said.

A search for Patrick, facilitated by tracks left in the snow, led to 532 College Ave. where an acquaintance of Cooper told police a stranger had run by her and claimed the money had been left across the street by a gate, Kayes said.

Police instead continued to search the area and found Patrick hiding in a shower behind curtains, still wearing his boots. He was later identified by the victim as the other burglar.

Patrick was already out on parole for burglary.

DeKalb police said a search of the suspects’ apartments did not turn up the stolen money.

Patrick and Cooper were charged with residential burglary, which carries a minimum of four years in prison if convicted.

Patrick was later charged with resisting a peace officer after unruly behavior at the police station, Kayes said.

Although the money has not yet been recovered, Kayes said the officers first on the scene responded exceptionally well by taking Cooper into custody then tracking Patrick down and searching their apartments for the stolen money .

“The road guys who worked this case really did a great job,” Kayes said.