‘Interior Decorator’ Burglary Suspect Nabbed

Inspector Gary Jimenez of the San Francisco Police Department said he and other officers can rest more easily after a man suspected of being a burglar nicknamed “the Interior Decorator” was arrested by Los Angeles police.

More than 100 San Francisco officers searched for the suspect, identified as Sala Mbackey, who allegedly made himself at home in victims’ houses. He allegedly prepared meals, took baths, rearranged furniture, put up personal photographs and even left his clothes, neatly folded, in dresser drawers of victims, police said.

“He moved in, basically,” said LAPD Det. Jose Suarez. “I’ve never handled a case like this.”

Mbackey made a reputation for himself in the Bay Area.

“We spent a lot of money,” Jimenez said. “We had a lot of [officers] in the cold, climbing stairs. He’s a big giant pain in the butt.”

Mbackey allegedly committed nine burglaries in San Francisco, mainly in the ritzy Telegraph Hill area, from November into January.

“It sounds innocent enough, but we do have victims,” Jimenez said. “I would not classify him as insane or crazy. He likes to take advantage of people, especially educated and rich people. He says they should share.”

Jimenez said one resident chased Mbackey from his doorstep and another saw him climbing a drainpipe.

Los Angeles police arrested Mbackey on Sunday afternoon after Mark Basler found him at his townhouse on Elmer Avenue. Around 3:30 p.m., Basler saw Mbackey leaving through a sliding glass door.

The suspect was wearing Basler’s clothes when officers arrested him nearby at Bakman Avenue and Camarillo Street. He left his own clothes neatly folded in Basler’s drawers. The burglar also left photos of himself on a desk.

Mbackey is wanted on suspicion of theft and fraud in New York and has been arrested in Georgia and Ohio, police said.

Los Angeles police investigators matched Mbackey to the San Francisco burglaries through fingerprints.

Mbackey told Jimenez he is from Africa, but Suarez said Mbackey told him he is from Jamaica. Mbackey also said he is a preacher, Suarez said.

“He claims his religion as the Son of the Faith and that he’s the son,” Jimenez said.

“I venture to say he just makes things up.”

Police also aren’t sure of Mbackey’s age--thought to be in his early 30s--because he has given several dates of birth.

“He said age isn’t important,” Suarez said.

Mbackey is being held in lieu of $1 million bail. In San Francisco, he faces four counts of burglary and other charges, which could carry eight years in prison.