PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A 62-year-old man was arrested after police responded to a burglary in Southeast Portland early Wednesday morning.
Officers responded to the report of a burglary at Woof and Meow — located at 3562 SE Hawthorne Blvd shortly before 4 a.m.
After arriving and talking to the owner, they learned that a rock had been thrown through the front door and the cash register was stolen. While investigating, another burglary was reported at Toadstool Cupcakes — located at 3557 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
As officers investigated both burglaries, they viewed surveillance video from the businesses and seized it as evidence. Based on the footage, officers believed the same suspect was responsible for the burglaries.
Stills of the video were spread throughout the Portland Police Bureau and a criminalist provided a possible identity of the suspect.
Officers responded to the burglary suspect’s residence in the 800 block of SE Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. The suspect was found at his residence and taken into custody without incident.
Officials received a search warrant for the suspect’s home and found evidence of the burglaries.
The suspect — identified as 62-year-old Melvin L. Tillman — was lodged in the Multnomah County Jail on charges of burglary, criminal mischief and theft.
Investigators believe Tillman is responsible for burglaries at the following locations:
Communion (3556 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard) on Jan. 11, 2018
Woof and Meow (3562 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard) on Feb.14, 2018
Toadstool Cupcakes (3557 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard) on Feb. 14, 2018