Prolific late night theif caught

Specks of blood led police to a nocturnal prowling burglar who went house to house as Hamilton people slept.

Over two hours on Wednesday night, the 21-year-old man allegedly broke into a series of homes and cars around the suburb of Hillcrest.

The break-ins happened between 11.30pm and 2am on Thursday, around Berkley Ave, Cedar Pl and Mullane St.

At three of the homes residents heard the prowler and confronted him, Waikato police Senior Sergeant Ray Malcolmson said.

‘‘People were home when he broke in - he was disturbed on three occasions and ran off pretty quickly.’’

At one house a window was smashed, alerting those inside.

‘‘He then entered another house and was confronted by the occupants, leaving blood stains on the house.’’

Blood from the man’s hand injury was found at the homes, garage and cars he broke into, Malcomson said.

Officers tracked the man to Berkley Normal Middle School where he was arrested at 2am.

‘‘e believe he’s responsible for all the burglaries we went to within that two hour period,’’ Waikato police Senior Sergeant Damion Rangitutia said earlier.