NMB Detective Helps End Tape Burglar's Reign

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NORTH MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) – A rash of home break-ins in North Miami Beach remained unresolved until one detective broke the case with one piece of evidence left behind by the thief.

North Miami Beach police have arrested the burglar but believe there could be more victims of who they've dubbed the "tape burglar."

Police photos show a shattered window, but medical tape is holding the shards of glass together. The tape quietly allowed a burglar to open the window, slip into his victim's house to steal jewelry and electronics before disappearing.

North Miami Beach police say the tape burglar hit at least five houses.

CLICK HERE to watch MaryAnn Martinez's report

The detective who cracked the case spoke to CBS4, but asked we protect his identity because of other on-going cases.

"It was obvious that it was someone that was using the same M.O. to break into the houses," said the detective.

Over a three-week period the burglar carried on, striking when he thought no one was home.

Ramon Escobar's house was targeted. In Escobar's case, the tape didn't do its job, and gave the intruder away.

"My mom was in the house, and she screamed because she heard it was a big boom when the window broke," said Escobar. "She came out of her room and he put his head [in the window] and moved away."

Escobar says he left without taking anything.

At one of the burglaries, a bottle of prescription pills was left behind by the tape burglar. The name on the bottle, Brent Brunetti, reminded the detective of a man he'd stopped just a few weeks before.

"He was just walking though the alleyways just like no destination so it just looked a little bit weird," said the detective.

That man was also carrying a roll of medical tape.

Police began to run surveillance on him. On day two, police say he gave them what they need to make the arrest.

"After seeing him going to several homes, knocking on the front door, just walking into the back yard, coming back out, he finally made it to the last house," said the detective. "Then we heard the window break."

Police had already surrounded the home and moved in for the arrest.

Brunetti is now facing burglary charges in North Miami Beach. He's also currently on parole from a conviction in Mississippi for burglary. Police say he will have to go back to Mississippi to face charges there are well as here.

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