Burglary suspect caught on Craigslist

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin police said they have arrested a 19-year-old who was caught burglarizing neighborhood homes and placing the stolen items on Craigslist. 

Martin Andrade Belmontes faces burglary charges in three separate incidents.

In the first burglary, the victim told police her home in the 2100 block of Brunswick Drive had been broken into on March 12. Several items, including two computer hard drives and an Apple TV digital media streamer were taken.

The following day, the victim noticed three postings on Craigslist matching the make and model of the items stolen. A phone number for the seller was also listed.

In a second burglary, items were stolen from a residence on the 1900 block of Utopia Court and placed up for sale on the site the same day.

In the third burglary on March 23, Belmontes allegedly kicked in a victim's front door and stole a 32-inch Samsung TV. A nearby witness described the burglar to police and included vehicle information that authorities said matched Belmontes' car.

Belmontes was arrested later that same night on possession of marijuana charges.

During questioning, Belmontes admitted to the burglaries, police said. He also allegedly admitted to selling all of the items online, with the exception of the TV taken earlier that day.

Police said they were also able to match Belmontes' cell phone number with the number listed on the Craigslist ad.

Belmontes' bond is set at $20,000.