FAIRFAX, Va. — A man is in custody, accused of committing five burglaries within 24 hours.
Fairfax County Police arrested 22-year-old Angel Argueta Galeas of Hybla Valley. He's facing a slew of charges, including burglary and trespassing.
Police had a busy 24 hours Monday evening into Tuesday morning trying to track down the suspect.
It began Monday night when police were called to the 3300 block of Willow Crescent Drive in Oakton for reports of a burglary.
Police say Galeas entered the home and stole property before taking the victim’s Nissan Altima from the garage.
Later that night Galeas reportedly took the stolen car to DigiTech-PC Solutions on Clifton Road.
Police say they saw him walking away from the store and yelled for him to stop, but he ignored them, got in the car and took off. Investigators believe he had tried to break into the store but was unsuccessful.
Police say Galeas continued his alleged crime spree well into the morning. On Tuesday, just after 6:15 a.m., officers responded to the 7100 block of Swift Trails Drive for a burglary. The homeowner told officers they were inside the house when they heard glass breaking.
The homeowner went to investigate and reportedly found Galeas inside the house. Galeas fled the scene after being confronted by the homeowner before law enforcement could arrive, according to police.
Realizing law enforcement would be searching for him, Galeas reportedly abandoned the stolen Altima at someone’s home. Officers decided to stay in the area where the car was left.
Three hours later, detectives received another call from a homeowner along Swift Trails Drive to report an unknown man inside a building on his property. Unfortunately, when officers arrived the man had slipped away, yet again.
But the tables turned within minutes after a call from a 93-year-old woman came in. She told the 911 operator, that a man had broken into her home and was in the other room. Officers quickly responded, and a short time later he was taken into custody.
Galeas may have been taken into custody, but the damage was still done. The final victim was still left with the shock of someone trying to burglarize her home and a broken window she now had to fix.
To relieve some of the stress for the victim, Fairfax County Police coordinated with a local Lowe’s to get supplies to help fix the window.
"The officers were there at the right time, took a bad guy off the streets. We were able to really help somebody and see the human side and the community come together," said Sgt. Jacob Pearce, with the Fairfax County Police Department.
A local business caught wind of what happened to the 93-year-old woman and offered a permanent fix.
Circle Glass and Mirror in Fairfax offered to donate the time and resources needed to fix the victim’s window.
Brad McGrady, the VP of Circle Glass and Mirror told WUSA9 a family member shared the post that Fairfax County Police had put up on social media and knew he wanted to help, so he called the county.
"I was talking to the officer and he said she didn't really have any family in the area. We were gonna do it before we knew that but that makes it even more because we want to help," said McGrady.
Hopefully, this act of generosity will bring the 93-year-old woman joy this holiday season now that her window will be fixed, despite the Grinch who tried to steal so close to Christmas.