Suspect's cellphone found in charger at scene of burglary

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By Douglas Stanglin, USA TODAY

Updated

Police in Maryland tracked down a burglary suspect after finding his cellphone being charged at the home of a break-in.

Cody Wilkins, 25, has been charged himself -- with a string of burglaries.

The suspect was allegedly interrupted by a homeowner's son last Friday and fled by jumping through a window.

Montgomery County police who searched the home found a cellphone charging in an electric socket. The phone led police to Wilkins, the AP says.

Police note that Wilkins lives in an area that lost power during a snowstorm, apparently requiring him to top up his battery at work.

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About Doug Stanglin

Doug is an unrepentant news junkie who loves breaking news and has been known to watch C-SPAN even on vacation. He has covered a wide range of domestic and international news stories, from prison riots in Oklahoma to the Moscow coup against Mikhail Gorbachev. Doug previously served as foreign editor at USA TODAY. More about Doug

About Michael Winter

Michael Winter has been a daily contributor to On Deadline since its debut in January 2006. His journalism career began in the prehistoric Ink Era, and he was an early adapter at the dawn of the Digital Age. His varied experience includes editing at the San Jose Mercury News and The Philadelphia Inquirer.