Suspect Wanted For 5 Burglaries In South Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore Police are searching for a burglary suspect wanted for at least five break-ins.
The suspect targeted businesses in the South Baltimore area and was caught on surveillance video. The break-ins happened late in the evening and early in the morning when the businesses were closed.
The suspect was caught on camera breaking into the Tobacco House and Gifts in Federal Hill on Sunday, the most recent burglary.
The suspect stole about 30 boxes of cigarettes and then quickly ran off around just before 6 a.m.
"Shocked, because I closed the store and it's a peaceful place. All the stores are glass stores around here, and we were shocked it was super fast -- less than two minutes," said Rabea Sheiean of Tobacco House and Gifts.
Police believe a business on South Charles Street is the fifth place to be burglarized by the suspect, caught on camera each time he broke in.
The other four happened about a mile away on Washington Boulevard in February and March.
"That's something the person who owns the store -- the people who work in the store -- that's something they have to deal with the next day. Whether it's making repairs or cleaning up and certainly replacing merchandise that's gone, so that's someone we want off the streets," Baltimore Police Detective Jeremy Silbert said.
The suspect broke into the Pigtown Wine, Beer and Liquors store twice and took 25 bottles of vodka.
Directly across the street, the Shop 'N Go was hit as well.
Police say the same suspect broke in, smashing through the glass window and stealing cigarettes and cash.
"This is a safe community we don't need that kind of stuff around here," Baltimore resident Monique Andrews said.
People who live near the businesses are hoping he's caught before he strikes again.
"People be scared to go to the store. They may get robbed or something if they broke in here. What makes them think they wont harm someone else? It's sad," Andrews said.
It's unclear if the burglary suspect is armed. Police believe he may live in the South Baltimore area, possibly within walking distance of the businesses he broke into.
Police ask anyone with information to call detectives at 410-396-2499 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7Lockup.
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