Menifee Man Suspected Of 'Prowling' Apartment Complexes Arrested

MENIFEE, CA — A man accused of prowling local apartment complexes in the early morning hours with the intention of burglarizing them was arrested on Thursday after leading police on a short foot chase, police said.

Irving William Firtha-Morrison, a resident of Menifee was taken into custody on suspicion of prowling, burglary and resisting arrest. He was booked at the Cois Byrd Detention Center, according to the Menifee Police Department.

Several incidents involving a hooded man lurking around local apartment complexes donning dark clothing were reported to police. In one case, the man entered a home through an unlocked door but he fled when the residents woke up, police said.

The man was caught multiple times on surveillance cameras and the footage was shared to Nextdoor and Ring.

In the early morning hours on Thursday, officers spotted a man matching the description of the prowler while in the area of Park Plaza Avenue and Town Center Drive. When detectives approached him, he fled, but officers caught up and arrested him.

Residents in Menifee are urged to keep their doors locked — "even while at home" — and report any suspicious activity to police at their non-emergency line: 951-677-4964.

Anyone who may have more information about Firtha-Morrison is encouraged to contact Detective Flores at 951-723-1663 or by email at wflores@menifeepolice.org.