Escondido
A rooftop-burglar suspect, who allegedly has operated in Escondido’s downtown since mid-November, was caught Tuesday night after he was heard overhead by a late-working employee of a bookstore, police said.
Ricky Lee Fleming, 27, was being held Wednesday at the County Jail in Vista on suspicion of involvement in at least five burglaries, including the one Tuesday night.
Police believe Fleming’s arrest will put an end to a string of 25 rooftop burglaries in and around the downtown since Nov. 16.
Police said the burglar used a screwdriver to pry outside ventilation screens, then squeezed through ventilation shafts to enter the stores.
“You look at those holes and you say to yourself ‘Nobody could get through there,’ ” Sgt. Ken Burkett said.
Police suspected Fleming after recovering a fingerprint from the scene of a November burglary, but did not catch him until an employee of the Grand Avenue Bookstore reported hearing footsteps on the roof.
Bail was put at $25,000 and arraignment is set for Friday.
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