Photo: Miami-Dade Corrections
A prolific burglar known to police as "Spider-Man" is now in custody after victims reported him scaling an 18-floor high-rise in South Florida. The Miami Beach Police Department arrested 34-year-old Anthony Butler Monday (February 5) in connection to a string of crimes at the Alexander Hotel All Suite Oceanfront Resort in Miami Beach last month, according to an arrest report obtained by WPLG.
Detectives claim Butler would climb the rear portion of the building and would go from balcony to balcony, looking for unlocked glass sliding doors. Once inside, victims claim the elusive burglar would quietly swipe their valuable belongings, including wallets, jewelry, a gold watch, and cash.
“We didn’t hear a thing and I’m a light sleeper,” Chanie Brisk, one of the victims, told reporters back in January.
Authorities allege the suspect threatened victims with a knife so they would fork over their precious items in a few cases. Overall, Butler is suspected of breaking into five units at the high-rise.
Police identified the 32-year-old, who has a criminal history, based on law enforcement databases and surveillance video. Officers claim they witnessed Butler driving away from the Alexander Hotel after he sold a gold watch reported stolen. He was arrested at his home in the West Little River area.
Officials also got consent from Butler's girlfriend to search their apartment, where they found shoes matching the impression found on one of the high-rise balconies. He also confessed to committing the crimes when speaking with investigators, the arrest report states.
He's currently in custody on charges of burglary to an occupied dwelling, grand theft, false verification to a pawn broker, and dealing in stolen property.
WPLG said police have footage of Butler hopping between balconies but detectives have not released the footage as of Thursday (February 8).
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