Binghamton Police Nab Suspected Underwear Thief

City police have recovered dozens of bras and panties believed to have been stolen from West Side homes where Binghamton University students reside.

Authorities say 32-year-old Edward Cleveland of Mather Street is suspected of taking the undergarments during nighttime burglaries at two homes on St. John Avenue.

Cleveland was taken into custody Wednesday near the Broome County Public Library on Court Street, where police believe he was waiting for a bus.

Cleveland faces four felony charges. He's been charged with three counts of second-degree burglary and one-count of second-degree attempted burglary.

Cleveland was arraigned this morning in Binghamton City Court. He was remanded to Broome County Jail.

Binghamton police detective captain Jack Collins told WNBF News Cleveland was charged in connection with reported incidents that occurred on March 22, April 3, August 10 and September 9.

Collins said investigators found about thirty female undergarments neatly stored in a dresser when they executed a search warrant at Cleveland's apartment.

Detectives also recovered a laptop and a computer storage device they believe were stolen during the burglaries.

The students now must visit police headquarters downtown to identify the items discovered in Cleveland's apartment.

Collins said police believe Cleveland targetted Binghamton University students who he may have met on BC Transit buses. Detectives suspect he followed some of them after they got off the bus to discover where they lived.

Investigators believe Cleveland entered the St. John Avenue houses several times. In at least one case, an intruder was scared off.

Collins said Cleveland may have made contact with some of the students he targetted on Facebook.

Police are trying to determine whether any other West Side student residences were entered in recent months.

Collins asked anyone with information that might be useful in the investigation to contact the Detective Bureau at 607.772.7080.