Police: Quick Thinking Citizen Helps in Burglary Arrest

LONGVIEW — Longview police are crediting a local resident with helping them catch a suspected vehicle burglar. At 8:42 Monday morning, police were dispatched to a suspicious person call on East Hawkins Parkway. When officers arrived they were told a man was caught attempting to go through a tool box at the location. The suspect left the scene prior to officers’ arrival.

At 9:45 a.m., Police were dispatched to another suspicious person call on North Fourth Street. Officers were told a man in a car was trying to break into a tool box in the back of a truck in the parking lot of the business. While officers were responding to the scene they located the suspect car traveling westbound on East Loop 281, where officers were able to stop on the vehicle. Officers located numerous construction-type and lawn care tools in the car. They say the suspect lied about his identity to police, but that they were able to identify him and determine he had an outstanding parole warrant. He was arrested for the parole warrant and fail to ID/fugitive, then taken to jail without incident.

Police say the victim’s stolen property will be returned. They’re also encouraging those who were in the area Monday morning to check to ensure they have not fallen victim to the suspected thief. If you think you’re missing property, you’re encouraged to contact the Longview Police Department for further information or to file a theft report. At this time, police are only aware of two locations that the suspect may have targeted. If you have information about other possible targeted locations, you’re encouraged to call police with information and can reference case #15-19358.