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Police believe arrest could resolve several Brevard burglary cases

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — West Melbourne police investigators believe they may have solved dozens of burglaries, with one arrest, in West Melbourne.

Police said they arrested Todd Wagner. They said Wagner, 20, struck at night and specifically was looking for homes with unlocked doors or windows.

According to investigators, Wagner would could grab a purse or wallet and leave the same way he got inside.

"We're blessed because you never know what could have happened if he got into the house," said West Melbourne resident Carl Russell.

Russell, who lives in West Melbourne's Oak Grove subdivision, said that late Wednesday night he awoke to the sounds of police.

"I looked outside and the K-9 was on my back porch," said Russell.

Police had just come into contact with Wagner that night. At the time, he was already a suspect in an Indialantic burglary case, police said.

"When I asked his first name he said, 'Todd,' and I answered, 'Wagner' right after because we knew who he was," said Detective Antonio Roman of the West Melbourne Police Department.

When police canvassed Whitman Drive, they said they discovered nine slashed screen enclosures and some homeowners with missing property.

Someone also entered Russell's back yard, but all of his doors and windows were locked.

"It's very scary that they would even would think about someone coming in with somebody being there," said Russell.

Wagner is currently being held on a $95,000 bond in connection to cases in West Melbourne and Indialantic. Police said more charges are pending.