A burglar caught rummaging through a car pleaded with the victim not tell to authorities because it was his birthday and his mother was going to be in town, the Broward Sheriff's Office said Monday.
Gregory Dobbs, 38, of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, was arrested and remains in jail on a charge of burglary of conveyance.
On Oct. 28, Dobbs' birthday, Morris Schwarz saw Dobbs going through an open window into his truck and looking through his belongings, authorities said. Schwarz went to the car, but the suspect fled. He ran after the man, caught him and that's when Dobbs pleaded with him, authorities said.
Dobbs was able to get away again, leaving behind a flip-flop and shirt, the sheriff's office said. A few hours later, authorities recognized the suspect's description, and showed Schwarz a photo line-up, where he confirmed Dobbs was the suspect, the sheriff's office said.
Dobbs was taken into custody as he was going to his 38th birthday dinner and he later confessed, the sheriff's office said. Authorities said his mother had indeed arrived in town that afternoon.
It wasn't immediately known if he had an attorney.
