Crime & Safety

Couple Nabs Burglar after Surveillance Camera Tipped Them Off

After having their home burglarized several times, the couple invested in a surveillance camera that paid off.

A man, who confessed to two burglaries, bought video games with the stolen pennies after the first burglary.

So he decided to go back and got a little more than he bargained for.

Caledonia police arrested 20-year-old Martin Gorst Wednesday after he broke into a home at 10017 Saratoga Drive. The arrest occurred at 8:54 p.m, according to a report by police.

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Gorst was arrested for two counts of armed robbery, possession of burglary tools and having a switchblade. He's being held in the Racine County Jail. 

The house had been previously burglarized and the family had installed a surveillance video system, which led to Gorst’s arrest.

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Homeowner Jeff Arndt confronted and detained Gorst, who was wearing a mask, in the middle of the burglary, according to a police report. Gorst sustained injuries to his back and neck, but he refused medical attention.

According to the report, the security camera in the garage had a recording device in the house and Jeff’s wife, Susan Arndt, heard the alarm go off. Seeing Gorst walking around in their garage, Susan confronted him while calling the police. Gorst tried to leave, but she prevented him from leaving and Jeff took Gorst to the ground. Susan took the mask off of Gorst and took the knife from him. Police were able to give the video camera footage to police.

They found a pry bar and a pair of binoculars in Gorst’s bag. Gorst also had a second knife on him, according to the report.

During a police interview, Gorst admitted to prying open the garage door lock, but he was unable to take anything because Susan, who had locked him inside the garage, confronted him. He tried to use the knife to open the locked door, but Jeff Arndt pushed the garage door open, which struck Gorst in the head and he fell backwards into a snow blower. Gorst said it wasn’t his intent to use the knife as a weapon he was trying to get out of the garage.

Gorst also confessed to taking $100 in pennies the garage on Jan. 24.

David Malison, a detective with the Caledonia Police Department, said Gorst had taken the $100 in pennies, cashed them at a grocery store in Oak Creek and bought video games with the money.

Police said they suspect Gorst in other burglaries.


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