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Suspected Daytona Beach serial burglar caught

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Police in Daytona Beach caught a suspected serial burglar Thursday.

More than a dozen break-ins have been reported at the Colonial Colony South Mobile Home Park.

Only WFTV was there as Jonathan Finley was arrested in connection with the crimes.

Police said the 24-year-old may be linked to more than a dozen break-ins in two mobile home parks.

The sound of a window breaking woke up Jerry Peludat and left him face to face with Finley.

"I looked through the window and I said 'Hey what are you doing down there?'" said Peludat.

He said that's when Finley took off running.

A few hours later, Peludat said he and his wife were out shopping when she spotted a familiar face.

"I said 'Is that the guy?’ Then I made the right turn and I said 'That's him going back' and in the meantime I called 911," said Peludat.

He said Finley took off again, but police said they found him hiding inside a shed.

Police said they are investigating how many other crimes Finley could be linked to.

"All the resources we've put into it, one observant neighbor today is the one who may break this thing wide open for us," said Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood.

Another resident was in her kitchen baking cookies when she said a burglar broke in. Police said they believe Finley may be connected to that break-in as well.