A Ventnor man was charged with theft and burglary after he was seen checking the doors of parked vehicles in the city, police said.
Michael Hauer had brass knuckles along with property from at least one burglarized vehicle when he was arrested early Saturday morning, according to the charges.
Police were called about a suspicious man in the 5100 block of Winchester Avenue shortly after 4 a.m. Saturday, Capt. Joe Fussner said.
Officers Raymond Aiuto and Michael Newell along with Sgt. Mark Suprun went to the area, and found a man hiding in the bushes of a residence on the first block of North Oakland Avenue, according to the report.
Hauser, 32, was found with multiple items determined to be taken from several parked vehicles in the area, Fussner said.
He also had brass knuckles and drug paraphernalia, according to the report.
Hauser is charged with burglary, theft, criminal attempt, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a hypodermic syringe and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was then released on a summons.
Police are investigating similar burglaries in other parts of the city that could be tied to Hauser, Fussner said.
He said it also serves as a reminder to residents to make sure they lock their vehicles.
A recent increase in burglaries are all tied to vehicles that were left unsecured.
Fussner said anyone who sees something suspicious should notify police immediately, as the resident in this case did.
