A burglary suspect who went viral in 2015 after a video showed him breaking down in tears when the judge said she recognized him as one of her former middle school classmates is now back in jail.
Arthur Nathaniel Booth, 58, was arrested Wednesday for his connection to a string of crimes that occurred in August, Miami police said.
In one incident, police said, he knocked on the victim’s door, pretending to be a water inspector.
Once inside the home, he went around the house, found a jewelry box, stole jewelry from the victim and fled in an unknown direction,” police spokesman Freddie Cruz said.
Booth is accused of a similar crime against another victim, posing a plumber.
“Once inside the home he actually snatched the chain of the victim and fled,” Cruz said.
The victim, an 85-year-old man, told NBC South Florida that Booth knocked on the door of his West Flagler Street home and asked him to open the faucet of his bathtub. As the man bent down to open it, he said, Booth snatched his gold chain and ran.
The man said the chain, which he got from Cuba, important to him.
In the third alleged incident, police said, Booth asked a woman for directions “and also conducted another chain snatch.”
Cruz said they believe Booth could be connected to other incidents.
“An individual like this needs to be behind bars,” he said.
Nearly 10 years ago, Booth found himself in front of Miami-Dade Judge Mindy Glazer after an alleged burglary and police pursuit.
Glazer recognized Booth as one of her classmates from Nautilus Middle School and offered him some words of encouragement.
“I’m sorry to see you there. I always wondered what happened to you, sir,” Glazer said, according to NBC South Florida.
Booth appeared to be overcome with emotion and started crying.
“This was the nicest kid in middle school. He was the best kid in middle school,” Glazer continued. “I used to play football with him, all the kids, and look what has happened.”
She said she was sorry to see Booth in the courtroom.
“Mr. Booth, I hope you are able to change your ways. Good luck to you,” she said. “What’s sad is how old we’ve become. Good luck to you, sir. I hope you are able to come out of this OK and just lead a lawful life.”
Booth has been charged with a slew of offenses, including robbery, burglary, home invasion and robbery without a firearm or weapon, according to online jail records. Attorney information was not available.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
