Burglary suspect makes himself at home

SUFFOLK, Va. - Suffolk police are looking for the man they say burglarized a home and then left a picture of himself on the victim's cell phone.

Police spokesperson Debbie George tells WAVY.com the incident happened during the first week of June in the 200 block of Holbrook Arch. Investigators say the suspect entered the home and in the midst of the burglary tried to use the homeowner's cell phone.

According to investigators the suspect made himself comfortable for hours, eating, drinking and watching pornography.

"The individual appears to have ordered a movie from the cable company at approximately 6pm and according to the telephone picture that photo was taken approximately at 10 p.m.," George tells WAVY.com.

George says the man tried to make several calls while inside the home. "These were very old phones that didn't have service going to them and the batteries were dead. So this person had to actually rummage through the house and find chargers that worked with these old telephones," George said.

While the suspect was unsuccessful in dialing out, George says he did manage to leave behind a picture of himself using the phone's camera feature.

The break-in is a wake up call to residents like Jerome Alston, who lives next door to the burglarized home.

"We do have a neighborhood watch around here so we will be more aware of what's going on around us," Alston told WAVY.com.

"This is the first problem I've ever known about back in here. It's quiet and I like it back here where I live. I'm right next to the woods and we get all kinds of wild animals," says longtime resident Sandy Claussen.

The Suffolk police department offers a security program called House Check to homeowners. It's great for vacations or if a house will stand vacant for awhile. An officer will check on your property at least once a day and provide a report to you. The service is free.

To sign up, call the Suffolk Police Department at 923-2350.

Police are now asking for the public's help in identifying the man seen in the picture to the left.

Anyone with information in this crime is asked to call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.