Courtesy Photo Derek Edwin Lindsey

Derek Edwin Lindsey, 37, is accused of stealing jewelry, laptop computers, video game systems and other items from six homes since Oct. 19, Sgt. Jason Keckler said.

Officers noticed the burglaries were happening during hours people were at work, he said. The burglar also took similar items and entered homes in the same way. Keckler declined to say how the burglar got into the buildings.

Neighbors also told police a green-gold Kia minivan was in the area during three burglaries.

The department deployed its Direct Patrol Unit to areas where they believed burglaries would take place, police said.

About 9 a.m. Thursday, officers saw the vehicle on Midsummer Court in the North Crossing subdivision, police said. Officers later saw Lindsey carrying a laptop computer out of a home to the minivan.

Police stopped the car for several violations, including driving on a revoked license and not wearing a seat belt. Several stolen items were found in the vehicle.

Search warrants were issued on Lindsey's home and car. Keckler said police found a handgun reported stolen during a burglary Wednesday in Amber Meadows. Keckler declined to say what other evidence was recovered.

"This case actually is a wonderful example of crime analysis, information sharing, and proactive and aggressive enforcement by multiple divisions within the agency," Chief Kim Dine said. "Because of their coordination and cooperation, (and) effective analysis, we were able to have personnel where they needed to be and to catch a suspect."

Lindsey has been charged with six counts of first-degree burglary, two counts of malicious destruction of property, two counts of third-degree burglary, two counts of theft, and illegal possession of a firearm.

Bail was initially set at $225,000, but Assistant State's Attorney Jaymi Sterling asked District Judge Janice Rodnick Ambrose to raise it during a bail review Friday afternoon. She cited a lengthy criminal record that includes convictions for theft, burglary and robbery, and Lindsey's failure to appear for court twice in the past.

When asked by Ambrose if he wished to say anything about his initial bail amount, Lindsey said no. Ambrose decided to keep his bail the same.

This was the second burglary suspect the unit apprehended in a week.

Christopher Wayne Allen, 18, was arrested Oct. 29 after police said he broke a window in back of La Villa Nail Salon on West Ninth Street.

The unit had been patrolling the Toll House Avenue area after more than five businesses were burglarized.

Detectives have linked Allen to burglaries at three suites at 700 Montclaire Ave., Keckler said. Two are doctor's offices, and the other is a physical therapist business. Those burglaries were discovered the day Allen was arrested.

On Wednesday, while Allen was in the detention center, he was served a warrant for additional charges, which include theft and burglary. He is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.