LANCASTER – The suspect believed to be responsible for the recent rash of “hot prowl” burglaries on the eastside of Lancaster has been arrested, authorities said.
Eighteen-year-old Robert Guss was arrested around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday (May 29) and booked at the Lancaster Station in lieu of $50,000 bail. Evidence was found on Guss that links him to several of the burglaries, according to Sgt. Jill Deschamps of the Lancaster Station Burglary Suppression Team.
The teenager is accused of breaking into at least a dozen homes during the night when victims were home sleeping in their beds. This type of crime is referred to as a “hot prowl burglary.”
Authorities last week issued a public safety alert to warn Lancaster residents about the hot prowl burglaries and to advise them to lock their doors and windows at night.
Officials also released video of the alleged hot prowl burglar attempting to gain entry into a Lancaster home. (Read more here).
This public safety alert lead to numerous leads, and the Burglary Suppression Team followed up on every lead, according to Deschamps.
“The investigation involved continuous undercover surveillance operations conducted by the Burglary Team. As a result of the Burglary Suppression Team’s hard work, a suspect was identified and arrested,” Deschamps said in a Lancaster Station news release.
The investigation is still ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact the Lancaster Station Burglary Suppression Team at 661-948-8466.
Previous related story: VIDEO: Help catch “hot prowl” burglar
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Notagain says
ALL THIS GUY IS GOING TO DO IS CRY TO THE JUDGE TEELLING THEM HOW HIS THE VICTIM HERE! AN THAT HE’S SORRY AN WON’T DO IT AGAIN!!
will says
Home burglary= Shoot To Kill
dumbandblind says
You don’t have to give any warning. In CA, the mere fact they are in your house justifies it.
CA penal code 198.5:
Any person using force intended or likely to cause death or great bodily injury within his or her residence shall be presumed to have held a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily injury to self, family, or a member of the household when that force is used against another person, not a member of the family or household, who unlawfully and forcibly enters or has unlawfully and forcibly entered the residence and the person using the force knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry occurred.
sikntired says
Why only 50,000 bail?
will says
He will be out in a year and back to stealing again. I wish the law here in the US was like in the Middle East you steal off with your hands
Fed Up says
To bad someone didn’t shoot the pos
sammy P says
I think “Hot prowl” is the best way to do a burglary – just find a decently wealthy neighborhood and find yards with no dogs – then sneak into backyards and try some windows and doors- just be ready to run at a moments notice if things go wrong – A homeowner could have a gun and you could lose your life if you are not careful- but a smart burglar can tell when a family is asleep, and once a prowler has gained entry he can sneak from room to room and grab valuables and be prepared to get out fast.
Most families become complacent and don’t think it can happen to them, but it can.
sikntired says
?- I think doing a “hot prowl “burglary is a damn good
way to get shot.Do you really think “wealthy “people don’t have state of the art alarm systems or weapons?
gerry says
If you intend to do that, I suggest targeting houses that have cars sporting Obama bumper stickers (but not AFL/CIO ones.)A Prius with a rainbow sticker would be perfect. Chances are higher the occupant will be a die hard liberal and not have a firearm in the house. I would stay far away from anyway with a Ron Paul sticker or even NRA.
Adam Chant says
Who want’s to bet that the fact that AVTimes posted this online and specifically facebook led to the capture of this individual?
Good job AVTimes and everyone who shared the information..
AVcares says
Yes!!! 2 thumbs up to everyone who got involved …I’m sure the posting had a lot to do with it…way to go AVTIMES…
Thanks for getting the word out!!! :)
Ellie says
Im so happy this person was caught. My home was burglerise last year and the idiot took my newborn ashes . They took all and this was in the day time.
M says
Love it!!