Sonitrol Pacific Audio Catches Suspected Serial Burglar

Federal Way, WA, December 26, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Police arrested a man they suspect is responsible for about 30 burglaries after Sonitrol Pacific detected him breaking into a business December 23.

Operator Kristine Etheridge received an alarm from Elliot Bay Sauna at 3:18 a.m., heard glass breaking and sounds of movement over live audio sensors installed on site, and called Federal Way Police. While police were en route, Etheridge called the business owner and assistant manager to advise them of what was happening, and continued to monitor the intruder's activity inside Elliot Bay.

Upon arrival, police surrounded the building and began waiting for the suspect to come outside. However, Etheridge let officers know the intruder was causing damage inside the business and police sent in a K9 unit to track him down. The police dog located a man hiding in the back of the building, in a crawl space beneath a hot tub.

Federal Way Police said they have a lot of surveillance video of the man taken during his break-ins at more than 30 other businesses in the area, but they hadn’t been able to catch him, because none of the other business had Sonitrol Pacific monitored audio or video.

Owner Jeff Garth said he had questioned his monthly investment in Sonitrol Pacific services this year, but now he knows exactly why he continues to be a customer.

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