Burglary Suspect in Tuscaloosa, Alabama Dressed as Utility Worker to Access Residences Near UA Campus

The Tuscaloosa Police Department has arrested a man who dressed in an orange vest in an alleged attempt to case out several residences near the University of Alabama campus.

Public Information Officer Stephanie Taylor said 22 year-old Tobias Keonte Horton was arrested Wednesday on charges of criminal surveillance and first-degree burglary.

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Taylor said the arrest was the result of an investigation that began earlier this week after suspicious activity was reported in the area. A resident returned to her home in the 1000 block of 13th Street Monday morning and saw Horton, who was on his way out of her front door.

"She called police after confirming that he was not a guest of her roommates or there to perform maintenance work," Taylor said. "Investigators believe the woman interrupted Horton’s attempt to take their television."

Authorities were contacted again when Horton was spotted in the area again the next day behaving suspiciously, and officers were then able to identify Horton using surveillance footage from the affected residences.

"Horton wore an orange vest as he walked through some neighborhoods in an attempt to look like a member of a work crew with a legitimate purpose to be on their property," Taylor said.

A TPD patrol officer spent Wednesday morning working to locate Horton while investigators with the Criminal Investigations Division’s burglary unit worked to obtain warrants.

Taylor said Horton was taken into custody late Wednesday morning and charged with criminal surveillance, a misdemeanor, and third-degree burglary. Horton remains in the Tuscaloosa County Jail on a $15,000 bond for the felony burglary charge.

No further details are available at this time.