Officers Find Burglar Still Inside Arlington Home: Police

ARLINGTON, VA -- A man who had come to check on a house in Arlington that had been put up for sale called the police when he noticed furniture was missing -- and responding officers found the burglar still inside, police say.

Police were called to the 3200 block of 1st Place N at around 11:44 a.m. on June 13 to a report of a burglary that had just been discovered, according to a report from the Arlington County Police Department.

Arlington police spokeswoman Ashley Savage said that the reporting party -- the property manager -- was coming to check on the home and contacted police after finding a door forced open and furniture missing.

"A search of the property by responding officers located the suspect inside the residence," Savage said. "At the time of the report, the stolen items had not been recovered."

Police arrested 45-year-old Ranado Braswell on charges of burglary and grand larceny. Savage said the property manager knew Braswell.

Police have posted residential burglary tips on their website, and urge anyone who has been the victim of a burglary to not enter the residence and immediately contact law enforcement so that officers can check the residence to see if a suspect is still at the scene.