Community vigilance in Westminster has led to the swift arrest of a suspected burglar, with stolen property subsequently returned to the rightful owners. The Westminster Police Department (WPD) responded to reports of two overnight burglaries in the vicinity of 96th Place, according to a social media post by the Westminster Police Department. After reviewing surveillance video and collecting fingerprints at the crime scenes, law enforcement officials were able to positively match them to a potential suspect.
Following up on a timely tip from a neighborhood resident who reported seeing the suspect return to the area, officers made contact with a 32-year-old man. They found him in possession of numerous items previously reported stolen, including laptops, a backpack, IDs, and money. The man was arrested and is facing charges of Second Degree Burglary, as the WPD humorously added in their report, "C'mon man..." All recovered property was handed back to its owners, with the police expressing their appreciation for the attentive and cooperative community spirit that helped to quickly resolve the situation.
The WPD used the incident to remind residents to remain vigilant, especially during the holiday season, which often witnesses an uptick in such property crimes. With more packages expected to be delivered, they urge the community to be proactive in preventing 'porch pirates' by locking doors and windows and keeping an eye out for their neighborhood.
