A Phoenix man is suspected of burglarizing two homes as undercover officers watched nearby. He then admitted to burglarizing a third home, according to the police report.
According to court documents, Glendale police officers were conducting an undercover operation on Feb. 5 in a neighborhood near 67th Avenue and Beardsley Road.
Officers saw 30-year-old Ryan Christopher Lugo break a window at a home and try to get inside. He ran away where police followed him to another home in the neighborhood.
The report says Lugo ransacked the home and left with two black bags full of items. He put them into a maroon mini-van and drove away.
Officers followed him to the Plaza Inn and Suites near 27th Avenue and Union Hills Road where he was arrested. Police found $10,000 in jewelry, electronics and cash in the bags, according to the report.
Lugo told detectives after his arrest that he ran from the first home because he was afraid someone heard the glass break. He also admitted to burglarizing a third home the week before.
Surveillance video in that case shows someone leaving the home and putting items into a maroon mini-van. Police said Lugo took over $70,000 in electronics, cash, firearms, jewelry and a Rolex watch.
Lugo told police that he pawned some of the items and gave the guns away because, "he didn't know how to tell stolen guns," according to the report. The watch was found at his home.
Lugo was convicted of theft and assault in a previous face. He is now facing charges of theft, burglary and trafficking in stolen property in the three incidents.
