"Balcony Bandit" Burglar Busted By Cops While Using Ladder

Puyallup Police say they caught him red handed, a prolific burglar that's accused of using a ladder to break into several apartments. The 28 year old is now locked up in the Pierce County jail facing multiple charges.

One of the burglar's victims was Norma Buck. You can imagine her surprise when she realized the "balcony bandit" had climbed into her home.

"I got up Wednesday morning and noticed footprints on my rug. So, the footprints came this way and my purse was here, cash was taken out of my purse and then that's when I assume he came into my bedroom," said Buck.

What shocked Norma more was realizing the bad guy was just inches from where she and grandson Tristen slept.

"He was in my room, he was in my room in the middle of the night. I didn't hear a thing," said Buck.

Last night, Puyallup Police were watching Norma's complex the Meridian Point Apartments and the nearby Clock Tower Apartments too. It was there investigators caught a break in the case.

Police say they spotted the burglar climbing down a ladder from a second story unit with a sack full of stolen stuff. Lieutenant Scott Engle with the Puyallup Police Department says that's when Officers moved in to arrest him

"They'd expected him to strike again, we were hoping we were in the right spot when he did it," said Engle.

Cops say in the six crimes the burglar used a stolen ladder and climbed into unlocked upper floor apartments and took cash and electronics. Lieutenant Engle says just like last night's burglary most of the victims were sleeping.

"Very dangerous crime, very bold for someone to enter someone's residence and victimize them that way, when they're inside sleeping," said Engle.

Investigators are now trying to figure out if the suspect lives in either of the apartment complexes he targeted.

Norma's glad the "balcony bandit" has been caught, but her grandson Tristen Sharp is still steaming mad about losing his hard earned piggy bank money.

"Very bad cause I don't like people stealing my money," said Sharp.

Police won't release the name of the 28 year old suspect until he's charged. He's scheduled to go before a judge on Tuesday.

Police say these burglaries are a good reminder for the summer to not leave your windows and doors unlocked both day and night.