Police say homeowner set trap for burglar

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- A Salt Lake City man victimized by one burglar set a trap that helped nab a suspect in an attempted break-in, police say.

Police Lt. Craig Gleason said the unidentified homeowner, who lost jewelry and a laptop during a previous burglary, created a makeshift alarm device that alerted him a would-be burglar was attempting to enter his home Tuesday, The Salt Lake Tribune reported Thursday.

Gleason said hearing the alarm, the homeowner chased a 50-year-old suspect and, thanks to the help of three other men, captured him.

Gleason said in addition to his homemade alarm system, the homeowner also used information from police officers to lure in the unidentified suspect.

"As it turns out, in the course of investigating the first burglary, the officers kind of mentioned to the homeowner that if you leave all your newspapers in the driveway and mail in the mailbox, that can make you a target for burglars," he told the Tribune.

"This homeowner, instead of removing the papers and mail, left the stuff there -- specifically with the intent of luring the burglar back in."