"We wanted this guy caught:" GPS tracking device helps police nab a suspected serial burglar



GREENDALE (WITI) -- FOX6 News is learning more about a man police say is responsible for dozens of crimes across the area. New documents show the man was arrested with the help of a GPS tracking device.

Late last month a man was stopped in Greendale -- tackled to the ground. New documents show the man had been tracked -- suspected of committing several burglaries in a matter of months.

For more than 30 years, Nancy Witte-Dycus has been committed to her "Fantasy Flowers" business -- putting in long hours and protecting what she has created.

"All of us work so hard -- especially small businesses," Witte-Dycus said.

So when surveillance video caught a man trying to break into her business two months ago, she was heated.

"It really hurts and it's all devastating. You feel violated. It makes me mad," Witte-Dycus said.

Video captured the suspect at the back of Fantasy Flowers.

"You could see him walk up to the door. You can see him with a screwdriver try to get in," Witte-Dycus said.

Within seconds the man was gone -- onto the neighboring business. There, he was successful.

"It was just so surprising that he was so carefree about it," Witte-Dycus said.

A search warrant shows this man is suspected in close to 30 burglary cases stretching across nine communities.

FOX6 News isn't naming him because he hasn't yet been criminally charged.

"We wanted this guy caught," Witte-Dycus said.

So police placed a GPS tracking device on the man's vehicle. On February 21st, a seven-hour manhunt ended with the suspect being taken into custody in Greendale -- taken down by Greendale's village president.

"I just gave him a nice butt into the snowbank over here and tackled him," Greendale Village President John Hermes said.



"You couldn't ask for a better outcome. I hope he goes away for a really long time," Witte-Dycus said.