Crime & Safety

Police: Possible Serial Burglary Suspect Caught on Camera

Police said four break-ins may be related.

Police said they are working to obtain the video of a possible serial burglar after the homeowner of a Columbia residence used an Internet home video camera to remotely watch someone breaking into his home.

The homeowner used the remote view feature of the camera to watch someone break in through his basement window and rummage through bills and paperwork, according to police. The homeowner was alerted to the break in after a motion detector was set off, said police, but he didn't believe anything was taken.

The break in was one of four that have been reported over the past four days in the 7000 block of Copperwood Way and police said they are investigating whether the incidents are related.

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The first occurred on Tuesday when a bicycle was stolen from a residence on the block after someone pried open a basement window to gain entry, according to police. The bike was later recovered nearby.

Then on Wednesday, a handbag was reportedly stolen from the living room of a home on the street while a resident was sleeping. A basement window was pried open to gain entry to the home, according to police.

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On Thursday night, another burglary was committed on the block, when someone pried open a basement window and stole a bicycle sometime between 9 p.m. - 11 p.m., police said.

Police described the suspect in the surveillance video as a male with a light complexion, unknown race, between 20 to 30 years old, about 6-foot-3, 180 to 200 pounds. At the time of the incident, police said he was wearing a blue and gray jacket, a light-colored knit hat, dark pants, dark shoes and gloves.


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