Fort Wayne, IN – A months-long investigation into a string of commercial burglaries around a Fort Wayne shopping plaza has resulted in the arrest of a 20-year-old man who now faces multiple felony charges.
According to the Fort Wayne Police Department, detectives with the Property Crimes Investigative Support Division investigated a series of burglaries that occurred between April 23 and July 17, 2026, in and around Southgate Shopping Plaza.
Investigators believed the same individual was responsible for the break-ins, alleging the suspect repeatedly targeted businesses while taking steps to conceal his identity, making the investigation more challenging.
The department’s Street Crimes Unit assisted detectives by conducting surveillance in the area. During the early morning hours of Friday, July 17, investigators observed a person matching the suspect’s description walking through Southgate Shopping Plaza and allegedly appearing to scout potential burglary targets.
Police detained the individual and identified him as David Lee Arrington Jr., 20, of Fort Wayne.
According to investigators, Arrington later admitted involvement in the burglaries during an interview with detectives.
Arrington was arrested on 11 preliminary counts of Level 5 felony burglary. The allegations have not been proven in court, and formal charges will be determined through the judicial process.
The Fort Wayne Police Department did not identify the businesses affected or release additional details about the individual burglary incidents. The investigation remains ongoing.
