Serial burglar wanted for break-ins in three counties faces judge

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Warren police caught a serial burglar in the act that has been breaking into businesses all over Metro Detroit.

The tri-county crime spree has come to an end and Nathaniel Browder suspect behind bars. The Warren man was charged Friday with four counts of breaking and entering.

"Quite frankly he's probably responsible for more than I already indicated," said Commissioner Bill Dwyer of the Warren Police Department.

Warren Police arrested Nathaniel Browder of Warren Thursday morning after they say they watched him making a heist at a gas station in Farmington Hills earlier that morning.

"I asked him what caused these burglaries and he said he just can't help himself," Dwyer said.

Prior to that, he was wanted for robberies Warren, Center Line, Farmington Hills, Roseville, Troy, Hamtramck, Livonia, St. Clair Shores, all to support a gambling addiction, according to Commissioner Bill Dwyer.

"In many of these cases, he would take from these different locations and take that to the casino," Dwyer said.

"His statement to me was that he had done so many, he just didn't recall which ones he was involved in unless he made a substantial score," a detective said in court.

Police say Browder started his latest spree hitting up Dollars stores, gas stations and party stores, bars, restaurants and ice cream shops, all while on parole for seven prior breaking and entering convictions.

"In all these cases, the business was closed, and he was after the cash or anything he could turn into cash money," Dwyer said.

Police say Browder worked alone, although they also arrested his girlfriend at the scene. She claims to have no knowledge of the robberies.

She was charged with driving without a license, facing up to 90 days in jail. While Browder faces 40 years, currently being held on a $100,000 bond.