Cape Coral police detectives have arrested a serial burglar responsible for multiple residential break-ins, specifically vacation rental homes.

Over the past several months, the burglaries had a similar M.O. The thief would enter through a rear slider door and remove flat screen televisions and the garage door opener.

In early 2011, detectives arrested and charged Brett Alan Jabaay, 29, of 11477 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia, for committing burglaries using a similar method of operation. They realized that Jabaay was out of jail and believed that he may be committing the crimes.

Detectives began conducting surveillance on Jabaay’s home.

At 10:30 p.m. April 16, Jabaay left his house and drove into the Cape. He was observed driving with his headlights off in the 1400 block of Northwest 29th Place.

Jabaay’s previous M.O. was to break into a home, steal the garage door opener and return later using the garage to enter the home, giving the appearance that he belonged there. He would then load up his car with stolen items and leave.

Detectives observed an overhead garage door open at 1444 N.W. 29th Place and Jabaay’s vehicle pulled inside and the door closed behind him. Detectives, uniformed officers and K-9 units surrounded the home. About 10 minutes later, the garage door opened and Jabaay began to back out of the driveway.

Officers moved in and stopped Jabaay in the driveway, where he was taken into police custody. Inside of his car were three flat screen televisions taken from the vacation rental home.

Jabaay confessed that he broke into the home and stole the televisions. He was transported to the Lee County Jail, where he was booked on charges of burglary, grand theft and violation of probation.

“This was an outstanding job by our detectives of the property crimes unit,” Lt. Tony Sizemore, spokesman for the CCPD, said. “Their efforts took a repeat offender off of our streets.”

Source: Cape Coral Police Department