THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 14, 1995 TAG: 9511140104
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
A ``one-man burglary ring'' was busted by a police dog early Monday morning when the thief was sniffed out as he hid in the ceiling of his most recently victimized business, police said.
Wilfred L. Spencer III, 27, of the 4900 block of Nassau Drive in Virginia Beach, was arrested about 1:50 a.m. He was charged with three counts of burglary and three counts of attempted burglary.
Police said Spencer apparently activated a silent burglar alarm in Oriental Rugs, in a strip shopping center in the 2900 block of Virginia Beach Blvd.
When a police dog named Taz was brought to the scene, officers were alerted by the animal to an area of the ceiling that had a panel out of place. When an officer climbed into the ceiling, Spencer was found hiding, police said.
After interviewing other business owners nearby, police determined that at least five of them had been victimized in recent weeks.
Police spokesman Mike Carey said burglaries occurred at the Boulevard Cafe and the Hair It Is beauty salon and burglaries were attempted at Moe's Music, Matie Tailors and Dominion Printers.
Spencer was charged with six felonies: three burglaries and three attempted burglaries. He is being held in the Virginia Beach jail without bond, Carey said. The investigation is continuing, and more charges are possible.
Carey said Spencer was after various kinds of business equipment as well as videocassette recorders, televisions and computers.
The K-9 unit, Carey said, is being credited with taking ``a one-man burglary ring off the streets of Virginia Beach.''
KEYWORDS: WORKING DOGS ARREST BURGLARY by CNB