Police catch suspected burglar in San Angelo residence
Lock your doors, San Angelo!
San Angelo police arrested a 41-year-old woman on suspicion of burglary after she was found inside a closet in someone else’s home in the Santa Rita neighborhood Monday, Feb. 6.
About 6 p.m. police responded to the 1000 block of West Avenue D on a report of a woman seen in the area asking Santa Rita residents for money and trying to open doors, according to a news release from the San Angelo Police Department. An officer spoke with a witness who shared a cellphone picture of the suspect. The woman in the photograph matched the clothing and physical description of the previous reports of a barefoot woman wearing a black ankle monitor.
Officers received information that a door to a nearby residence in the 500 block of South Washington Drive was open, according to the release. A responding officer found the door closed, but the house was in the immediate area of where the suspect was last seen.
While searching the residence, officers saw random open doors, drawers and cabinets throughout the house, the release stated. "That's typical burglar behavior," said SAPD spokeswoman Tracy Gonzalez. "They rummage through everything quickly looking for something to take."
In the end, officers found the woman hiding in a closet on the second floor of the home. The woman, identified as Linda Ann Peterson, was wearing the homeowner's clothing.
Peterson, who was charged with burglary of a habitation, a second-degree felony, and an outstanding parole violation warrant, was taken to the Tom Green County Jail. Second-degree felonies are punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Peterson was found guilty on a burglary charge in 2013. She is being held in lieu of $15,000 bail.
The police release stated there was no forced entry detected.
Gonzalez, who said no one was home, said Peterson's apprehension came about thanks in large part to the witness. "It's a police and community partnership," she said. "We have to work together."
"Police would like to remind citizens to be vigilant, secure their personal property, and report suspicious activity to Police Dispatch at 325-657-4315, or to 9-1-1 for crimes in progress." the release stated.
Police Chief Frank Carter has said the majority of the neighborhood crimes are "crimes of opportunity."
"In the last three years, we’ve probably had a 16 percent increase in criminal activity, and the majority of that has been in theft or vehicle burglaries — I can say that in the majority of those vehicle burglaries, the vehicles are unlocked," Carter said in January.
“It’s a crime of opportunity, and that is where we’re trying to get our media, our (Public Information Officer), to put the message out there as simple as it sounds: Lock your car up. Remove your valuables. If citizens would do that, we would see a pretty good reduction."
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