PORT ST. LUCIE – A 27-year-old man accused of entering a home June 2 and photographing a woman after she exited the shower was arrested with the help of surveillance video and a “vigorous neighborhood canvass,” Port St. Lucie Police said.
Darrian James Baker was arrested on charges including burglary to an occupied dwelling, attempted burglary to an occupied dwelling and attempted burglary to an unoccupied conveyance. He was booked in at the St. Lucie County Jail June 3.
Police about 6:16 a.m. June 2 went to a home on Southeast Gidding Road following reports of a man who entered a home and took a picture of a woman who just got out of the shower.
“The female screamed and the suspect ran out of the house,” police stated. “The husband awoke and saw the suspect as he ran out of the house as well.”
Meanwhile, a second person saw a social media post about the incident and reviewed her surveillance cameras.
She reported the same person about 4 a.m. tried to enter her vehicle and home on Southeast Deming Avenue, which is in the area of Southeast Gidding Road.
Police Chief Leo Niemczyk on June 3 said investigators went door-to-door in the area.
“It really came down to a vigorous neighborhood canvass,” he said.
Niemczyk said police came across a woman “who informed us that yesterday (June 2) morning she encountered our individual while she was working out.”
“He struck up a conversation and spent a little time talking with her and informed her that he just moved into the area from Miami and is living on (Southeast) Portillo (Road),” Niemczyk said.
Police went to Southeast Portillo Road where Baker approached officers and asked what they were doing.
“He obviously knew that we were out there looking for him and conversation ensued,” Niemczyk said. “He made some incriminating statements.”
In the home where Baker was staying, police found the shirt in surveillance videos, and he was arrested.
Niemczyk said Baker reported seeing the woman through the window, liked her, and thought he’d go inside.
“It’s a brazen act to walk into somebody’s home knowing that they’re there,” said Niemczyk, noting that is atypical for this area. “It was concerning what his intentions were, and I wanted to make sure that he was taken into custody as quickly as possible.”
Niemczyk said a door to the home had been unlocked.
He suggested residents lock doors when home or away, and have lights on outside and invest in a security system.
He further suggested keeping blinds drawn, particularly in the evening when it’s dark outside and light in your home.
“We threw all of our resources at it and it paid off,” Niemczyk said.
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Police said man entered home, photographed woman after she exited shower
Reporting by Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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