DNA nails habitual Mesa burglar

On April 9, 2014,  at approximately 9:15 pm, an Mesa resident  observed 34-year-old suspect, Branden Mahlum, hide his bike between two cars parked at a business in the area of 7100 E. Main in Mesa. Branden was seen forcing entry into a car as the alarm sounded, before fleeing the scene on his bike. The resident called 911 to report the burglary and gave a description of the suspect’s clothing and direction of travel.

Officers located a male matching the description and detained him. The resident was able to positively identify the suspect’s bike and clothing. In addition, items stolen from the vehicle were in his possession. During a subsequent interview Branden admitted to forcing entry into the vehicle.

Branden Mahlum was booked on 4 counts of vehicle burglary, a class 4 felony.  Based on DNA evidence, investigators were able to link Branden to three additional vehicle burglaries in our city.