Alabama man arrested for breaking into home to use shower

Raymond Phillips (Courtesy of Ider Police)

IDER, Ala. (WDEF) — Alabama authorities are urging citizens to have a home security system after a man broke into a woman’s home and used her shower.

“I highly encourage everyone to have some type of security system and especially a camera system alerting homeowners if someone is on their property,” Police Chief Stephen Malone said.

Ider Police Department officers started investigating when multiple people within the city limits filed complaints of a trespasser. Residents told officers that a man would come to the front of their home, attempt to open the door and then walk around the property.

Through home surveillance footage, authorities identified the suspect as Raymond Phillips.

Then on October 11, someone reported a trespasser that matched Phillips’ description. DeKalb County deputies responded to the area, outside Ider city limits, but did not find Phillips.

Shortly after, a citizen approached DeKalb authorities to tell them a man entered his daughter’s property. She said she saw a man on her home security system.

Deputies went to that home and found the doorknob broken off the door. They then entered to find Phillips taking a shower in the house, with clothes on the floor, police said.

DeKalb authorities said they then arrested Phillips. They charged him with third degree burglary and trespassing. Someone is charged with third degree burglary if they enter a building with intent to commit a crime.

The Ider Police Department is asking citizens to let them, or the sheriff’s office, know if they have witnessed Phillips on their property or home security system.

Sheriff Welden says home security systems increases the likelihood of authorities catching criminals and solving cases.

“I truly feel for this victim, I know she’s now uncomfortable and scared in her own home,” Chief Malone added. “I’m just thankful we were able to prevent any further harm or her arriving home during the burglary.”