EPPD: Burglary victim on vacation records suspect in the act thanks to cell phone alert

The victim of a burglary was able to record footage of the burglary suspect in the act, while on vacation, thanks to a cell phone alert.

Police said the victim received a cell-phone alert tone and a screenshot of a man moments before the man broke into the victim’s apartment on the 6000 block of Caprock.

“After receiving the alert, the victim remotely hit record on the surveillance cameras that captured footage of a male and a female breaking into his apartment,” police said in a news release.

The victim told investigators he recognized the offender as 20-year-old Joseph Adams, an acquaintance who had previously been to his apartment.

Upon returning from vacation, the victim discovered his laptop and accessories missing.

Investigators from the Westside Regional Command TAC unit filed an arrest warrant for Adams. On July 11, 2018, officers located Adams and placed him under arrest for the outstanding warrant.

Adams was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility charged with Burglary of Habitation under $50,000 bond.