Man wakes up to sleeping burglar in apartment

BROOKLINE, Mass. (WHDH) – Police say a suspect broke into a Brookline apartment Wednesday night and stole several items, but didn’t leave.

Even seasoned investigators like Brookline police Lieutenant Phil Harrington could only shake their heads after this one.

“This is a first for me. The resident actually woke up and saw the suspect asleep on his couch,” said Lt. Harrington.

Police say Evgeniy Dolzhenkov broke into an apartment on Park Street sometime in the middle of the night. According to the police report, he picked the lock with a spoon to get into the building.

Once inside the apartment, police say the 41-year-old went on a stealing spree filling this backpack with a $1,300 Macbook Pro, $1,000 Dell laptop, a Cannon camera, cash and cologne. But instead of bolting, he fell asleep on the couch.

It was the man who lives in the apartment with his fiancée who found the suspect snoozing, and called police.

“He was just sleeping on my couch,” said Salman Bhei, the resident who found the suspect. “I just started talking with him.”

Police say the break-in was random and hope it serves as a wakeup call for others.

“We just always ask make sure your house is secured and if you hear any noises or see any suspicious activity, make sure you report it,” said Lt. Harrington.

The suspect will return to court next month. Police are checking to see if he's responsible for any other house break-ins the area.