Witness captures burglar in the act on iPhone

PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga. — Gwinnett County police said an employee at an apartment complex caught a burglar in the act and recorded it on his cellphone.

The worker told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh instincts kicked in when he reached for his iPhone.

Police said his video has provided them a big lead.

Police brought the story to Channel 2 Action News because they hope the public can help identify the burglar.

"I was actually showing an apartment when a resident next door heard the noise and she came and got me," Myron Tonge told Kavanaugh

Tonge said instincts and adrenaline kicked in. Tonge works at the Gwinnett County apartment complex situated along Peachtree Corners Circle.

"She said, 'I think something is happening at my neighbor's door.' I pushed the door open, and the guy was inside," Tonge said.

It happened Oct. 28. Tonge said he was eye to eye with a man rummaging through a resident's apartment and he grabbed his iPhone.

He hit record just in time. The burglar eventually took off running.

"This is what we like to see from our witnesses. He's not actually putting himself in harm's way. But, he's getting good video of this suspect and hopefully that's going to help us capture him," Cpl. Jake Smith of the Gwinnett County Police Department said.

The man's face is clearly visible in the cellphone video, which is now part of police evidence and they are hoping someone will recognize the man.

The video shows how Tonge tried to chase the man down. He said he did it to get more pictures of him but never caught up with the man again.

"We try to take care of our residents here," Tonge said.

Police told Kavanaugh the suspect closely matches the description of a man involved in another burglary in the same complex.

If anyone recognizes the man they ask you to call Gwinnett County police at 770-513-5190.

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