Alert neighbor leads to burglar's arrest | Crime

Winter Haven, Florida -- An alert neighbor, who called in suspicious noises around a home in Winter Haven, resulted in the arrest of a burglar as he walked out of the home.

Winter Haven Police say around 1 a.m. Monday, the neighbor called police after they heard strange noises coming from a house on 2nd Street NW, owned by an elderly resident who was not home at the time.

When officers arrived on scene, 44-year-old Arthur Washington was coming out of the home with a shopping cart he was using to carry items.

"Knowing the resident was not at home, this observant neighbor did the right thing by reporting this incident immediately," said Chief Gary Hester in a release. "Citizens need to remember that any suspicious activity or noises should be called in immediately. One more criminal is now off the street due to this alert citizen."

Washington was charged with Burglary and taken to the Polk County Jail.