Tonawanda Police didn't have to go far to make an arrest in a home break-in Wednesday.
As officers were arriving at 75 Broad Street, they caught the suspect leaving a rear door of the apartment building still wearing his latex gloves.
Gerald Crouse, 35, is charged with five counts of burglary and petit larceny. According to Captain Fredric Foels, Crouse is responsible for five other burglaries in the apartment building, in which he also lived, dating back to May 23.
Investigators say Crouse would wait until his neighbors left for work, then use a metal-type shive to break into their apartments and help himself to items inside. Officers recovered stolen money, jewelry, video games and an air conditioner from Crouse's apartment, Foels said.
"There was no doubt the fast response by officers was a game changer in making an arrest," Foels said.
Bail was set at $9,000. Crouse is due in court for a felony hearing on June 28.
