Alleged Canton Burglar Caught By Craigslist Sting
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—An undercover Internet sting leads police to an alleged serial burglar in Canton. Detectives say one man stole everything from computers to Ravens jerseys to a George Foreman grill.
Suzanne Collins spoke with police about this case.
When police learned that the stolen goods appeared on Craigslist, they decided to meet the seller.
Gregory Meseke, who's charged in the string of burglaries, lived only a couple blocks from some of the victims in Canton. The arrest has residents of that neighborhood alarmed but happy there's been an arrest.
"I was very concerned. The neighborhood is fairly safe and it just makes you feel unsafe," said Tina Satterfield.
The house on Ellwood still has a board covering the broken pane in the front door where police say the 32-year-old smashed his way to the lock. The homeowner helped lead police to the suspect.
"He did indeed discover that a few of his items were on sale on Craigslist," said Baltimore City Police Detective Kevin Brown. "He contacted burglary detectives, and they set up a sting and they captured an individual in relation to the case."
An undercover detective arranged to buy a $700 camera the victim believed was his. When Meseke met the officer in Canton with the stolen goods, he was arrested. A search of his apartment on Fait Avenue revealed the extent of the break-ins.
"They discovered there were many items of value inside of the home, some computers electronic equipment, fine jewelry, a miscellaneous match of things he could easily smash and grab from area homes," Brown said.
Apparently, the burglar also took liquor and even steaks along with the expensive items.
Meseke served three years of a 10-year sentence for a similar crime in Harford County.
Police say the suspect gave a taped confession.
