Norman Police make arrest in months-long burglary investigation

NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) — Norman residents have been on edge over the past few months following a string of crimes occurring near 12th Avenue and Alameda.

"We've just been kind of keeping it cautious and like, keeping the doors locked and everything," said Timothy Pirello, who lives in the area.

The suspect, 19-year-old Landon Appleby was arrested on Wednesday.

Sarah Schettler with the Norman Police Department said once Appleby was in custody, he admitted to investigators that he committed the string of crimes.

Appleby first got on the radar of Norman Police in September. They now believe he's responsible for rape and more than 10 counts of home-invasion burglaries.

"A victim provided us with information that she had been asleep in her residence and that an unknown male with no shirt had been in her bedroom. She woke up, they made eye contact, the individual ran out of her residence," said Schettler.

Investigators say his crimes escalated when he broke into a home and allegedly raped a woman.

"There was a break-in, in November. We had one incident occur in December and then they really started back up within the last week or so over the course of this five-month investigation," said Schettler

Pirello has lived in his Norman home for years, relying on his home security for protection.

"I have a ring camera here and it actually gets a lot of footage and my neighbors have cameras, so I suggest getting cameras for everybody," said Pirello.

Norman Police are aware residents are afraid and say they are keeping up with patrols and visibility in the area.

Investigators also want to remind residents to lock their doors and keep their security systems armed.

Appleby is booked in the Cleveland County Detention Center on one count of first-degree rape, 10 counts of first-degree burglary, one count of second-degree burglary, and four counts of attempted burglary.