Suspected El Cajon Hot Prowl Burglar Caught

A series of 'hot prowl' burglaries in El Cajon may have come to an end after the suspect of the robberies surrendered to police Monday.

Detectives determined the latest hot prowl arrest is likely a string of six others in the area, according to a statement from the El Cajon Police Department.

On Monday, the suspect of the burglaries apparently found a "hide-a-key" and used it to unlock a door to one of the homes. The resident heard the suspect attempting to enter and closed the door on him, a statement from the El Cajon Police Department read.

The suspect then fled to a dirt embankment nearby. One ECPD officer located the suspect and told him the officers were prepared to release their K9 unit. The suspect surrendered.

Police found the "hide-a-key," as well as a purse he reportedly took from another home in the neighborhood, a statement from the El Cajon Police Department read.

A hot prowl burglary is one in which residents are home at the time of the burglary. In these cases, the suspect appeared to have entered through unlocked garage doors. Other homes reported missing screens from their windows.

Police believe the suspect is connected to other hot prowl burglaries reported on May 28. Homes in the area of Mollison and Bradley were burglarized. Items reported missing were small and easy to carry, police said.