Burglar Sneaks Into Corte Madera Home, Hides In Treehouse: Police

CORTE MADERA, CA – A suspected burglar was arrested Thursday night after he was found hiding inside a treehouse in Corte Madera.

The Central Marin Police Authority received several reports of a suspicious man knocking on doors and cutting through backyards around 5 p.m. on Balclutha and Westward drives in Corte Madera. As officers responded to the area, another caller reported that the man had been spotted inside her neighbor's home in the 100 block of Westward Drive.

"Officers arrived to find a rear sliding glass door shattered and the residence in disarray," police spokeswoman Margo Rohrbacher said.

Police found the man pretending to be asleep inside a treehouse in the backyard.

A witness identified the suspect as the man seen earlier inside the house. He allegedly had a prescription pill bottle belonging to the resident in his possession.

The suspect initially provided a false name, Rohrbacher said, but was later identified as Duante Hayes, 24, of Stockton.

Hayes was booked into Marin County Jail on suspicion of burglary, possession of stolen property and providing false identification. He also had an outstanding $25,000 warrant from Stockton for assault, Rohrbacher said.

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