The Douglas Sheriff's Office has arrested a 34-year old man who was connected to several thefts near the area on 102nd and Ida Streets.
Officials said between April and June 2016, they received nine reports of thefts from vehicles parked at either the Fairfield Inn or Holiday Inn Express near 102nd and Ida Streets.
Authorities say that the suspect struck at least once a week and smashed vehicle windows before removing personal property, electronics etc.
DCSO officials said they began a schedule of targeted surveillance and decoy operations in order to identify and capture the thieves.
Officials say that the surveillance of the “bait property” was tracked by a direct route from in the 6900 block of N. 102nd Cir. and arriving in the 10300 block of Hilltop Rd.
Surveillance was setup on the residence until a search warrant could be obtained. This residence was involved from a previous DCSO investigation.
At that time, a stolen vehicle and other stolen property was recovered.
On Tuesday, investigators executed a search warrant; and found 34-year-old Aaron Whitehill inside the residence.
Officials said that two baggies of methamphetamines, a digital scale, and cash were attributed to Whitehill.
Whitehill's hands were tested positive for a florescent powder that was placed on the “bait property”.
Whitehill was arrested and booked for Felony Theft by Receiving Stolen Property with two prior convictions and Possession With Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
