Burglar pulls back sheets while woman sleeps on sofa

Marlon Gamez, 25, watched woman 6 times before entering home, police say

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. ā€“ A man was taken into custody early Saturday after removing the covers from a woman who was sleeping on her sofa inside a Miami Beach apartment, police said.

According to an arrest report, Marlon Gamez, 25, broke into the woman's apartment on Drexel Avenue at about 4:30 a.m.

Police said the victim started screaming as soon as she woke up and saw Gamez standing over her.

Gamez then ran out of the rear door of the apartment, police said.

The next day, officers were were conducting a surveillance detail in response to a serial burglar who had been breaking into women's homes throughout Miami Beach, Miami and Coral Gables.

Detectives said they saw Gamez loitering near the latest victim's apartment and took him to a police station for questioning.

According to the report, Gamez told detectives that he had watched the victim six times before he entered her apartment and said he broke into her home with the intent to commit a sexual act.

Detectives said Gamez told them that he turned off the TV and lights to conceal himself, but fled the home once the victim started screaming.

Gamez was arrested on a charge of burglary with attempted assault.

Miami Beach police spokeswoman Vivian Thayer said further investigation revealed that Gamez is not the serial burglar wanted by multiple law enforcement agencies.

That man is also believed to have broken into women's homes with the intent of committing a sexual act.

He is described as having olive-colored skin, and police believe he is in his 20s to early 30s. They said he often wears a hooded sweatshirt or other clothing to conceal his identity.

Police also described the man as a loner, a stalker, socially awkward and immature.

Anyone with information about the identity of the man is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

Follow Local 10 News on Twitter @WPLGLocal10


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.