Crime & Safety

Masked Burglar Climbs Roof, Scales Pipes to Break Into Laundromat

Police investigate a burglary at the Main Street Plaza Laundry in Wheaton.

Police are investigating a burglary at a Wheaton laundromat in which the suspect wore a mask and had moves like Spiderman.

The incident took place at Main Street Plaza Laundry, 282 E. Geneva Rd. in Wheaton early Monday morning. The business' security camera shows the suspect in the business about 1:30 a.m., carrying an axe and wearing a towel over his head, sneaking along the laundry machines and jumping over the customer counter to get to the office, according to the police report.

The burglar tried to open a safe in the business using black electrical tape before going into the office, where the security camera doesn't work, police said.

Find out what's happening in Wheatonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He then used tools from the office to take apart the cash drawer and steal $500.

The suspect reappears on camera about an hour later, leaving the office at 2:45 a.m. without the towel or the axe and exits to a backroom. 

Find out what's happening in Wheatonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

To get into the building, police said the burglar bent the aluminum vent louvers and entered through a fresh air exhaust hood accessible on the roof, and climbed down about 30 feet, using the gas pipe and vent system. Police said it appears the burglar exited the building the same way.

The man is described as about 5 feet 4, 120 pounds with a small muscular build. He wore a sweatshirt, cargo pants, gym shoes and possibly blue rubber gloves and a Spiderman or alien-like costume mask, according to the report.

A homeless person who helps out at the business has been eliminated as a potential suspect, police said. In talking with the person, police found no clothes or shoes matching those in the security video.

"(The person) denied any knowledge or involvement with the burglary and... physical ability to scale the building and then down to the store is very questionable," according to the police report. 

Other police news in Wheaton:

  • Wheaton North Evacuated After Smoky Science Experiment
  • DUI Drug and Alcohol Arrests: Police Blotter
  • Fatal Crash Victim Identified as WWS Senior Stephanie Pickett

There are plenty of ways to keep up with Wheaton news:


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.