DNA Nails Habitual Burglar

On 4/9/14 at approximately 9:15 pm, an alert citizen observed 34-year-old suspect, Branden Mahlum, hide his bike between two cars parked at a business in the area of 7100 E. Main in Mesa.  Branden was seen forcing entry into a car as the alarm sounded, before fleeing the scene on his bike.  The citizen called 911 to report the burglary and gave a description of the suspect’s clothing and direction of travel.  Responding officers located a male matching the description and detained him.  The citizen was able to positively identify the suspect’s bike and clothing. In addition, items stolen from the vehicle were in his possession. During a subsequent interview Branden admitted to forcing entry into the vehicle.

Through great teamwork by officers and detectives out of our Superstition Patrol District and the Forensic Lab, Branden Mahlum was booked last night on 4 counts of vehicle burglary, a class 4 felony.   That’s right…FOUR counts.  Based on DNA evidence, investigators were able to link Branden to three additional vehicle burglaries in our city.  Great job by our alert citizen and our tenacious investigators for apprehending a burglar who had been victimizing our citizens!  Remember, If you see something, say something.