Authorities have apprehended a man on suspicion of executing a series of burglaries across massage parlors in the Valley area. Identified as Mitchell Briggs, the suspect has been arrested after an investigation linked him to potentially dozens of incidences throughout the Valley, as reported by AZ Family.
The capture came after a July 4 incident in which a business near 43rd and Olive avenues was broken into by an individual wearing black and a mask, wielding a tool specialized for glass panel removal. Despite evidence of the break-in, the owner claimed nothing was stolen. More striking, in the early hours of September 8, a suspect, presumably Briggs, was caught on surveillance breaking into another spa at 67th Avenue and Cactus Road. Here, he confronted two employees with a pry bar, managing to escape with $500. Briggs, now indicted, is on lifetime probation with a history of grave convictions, including armed robbery and aggravated assault.
Briggs was taken into custody on Wednesday evening, and the raid of his Glendale home led to further discoveries. Officials found $10,000 in cash alongside three pry bars, a ledger with addresses of 65 massage parlors, and receipts indicating hefty bank deposits, according to a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix. This ledger included entries, some marked out with accompanying dollar figures, hinting at a wider scope to Briggs’ criminal activities.
An intricate law enforcement effort was undertaken, with the Glendale Real Time Crime Center first identifying Briggs via his Dodge Charger’s license plate, as seen in the surveillance footage. Additional evidence was garnered when a GPS device, placed under a signed warrant, recorded the vehicle making stops coinciding with other reported burglaries. The coordinated response included several Valley-area agencies, and Briggs is now facing multiple accusations of armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and burglary.
Other jurisdictions, including Peoria police, plan to present charges against Briggs. They've connected him to a spate of break-ins at local massage parlors, occurring within hours on the night of September 4 and the morning after. Targeted establishments included Heaven Spa and Massage, Peoria Health Spa, Taiji Foot Spa, among others, with losses totaling hundreds of dollars. As for Briggs, he awaits trial with his bond set at $90,000.
