Burglar With Taste for Finer Things in Life Busted

Police in a multi-agency investigation have nabbed an alleged serial burglar who has been reported to have broken into over 200 apartments in an upscale neighborhood in Boston over the course of several months.

During a press conference at Boston Police Headquarters, Boston Police Superintendent Paul Fitzgerald stated that Craig Cromartie, 44, of Dorchester made off with more than $1 million in stolen goods from his alleged months-long burglary bender.

Police say that Cromartie allegedly targeted apartments that he broke into by checking mailrooms for stacks of mail, assuming the tenants were on vacation. Cromartie also waited and watched for residents to leave for the gym or work. He even went as far as to poke out peep holes to get a better look inside the apartment to see if anyone was home, or to see if there were any high-valued items in plain sight.

Most of the items stolen during the burglaries were jewelry, purses, Persian rugs, artwork and other high-value items. Anything with a high resale value in a high resale market.

"He was as experienced with this as I am with my job," said Needham Police Sgt. Joe O'Brien.

Unfortunately for Cromartie, this was not his first run-in with the law. Boston Police Superintendent Paul Fitzgerald said Cromartie has more than 300 prior arraignments on his record for theft-related crimes. Talk about a career criminal!

Here are Some Common Sense Apartment Security Tips:

Get to know your neighbors – Your neighbors can be your first line of defense against a burglar. Introduce yourself and let them know that you’ll watch out for their apartment and vehicle while their away. In most cases, they will return the favor.

Watch that buzzer – Never buzz-in a stranger, or someone you don’t know into your building, no matter what wolf ticket they’re selling. Let your neighbors know the same thing.

Hold your mail – If you’re going away for an extended period of time, be sure to have the Post Office hold your mail until you get back. Stacks of piled-up mail iis one of the first things a burglar looks for when targeting an apartment.

Apartment burglaries are MUCH MORE common than home burglaries. Unfortunately, many of the home alarm companies out there do not offer home security systems to apartment dwellers. Not to fear, SimpliSafe offers affordable home security to anyone living in an apartment.