Police say they've caught the man wanted in a string of recent burglaries in the palm Aire Condominiums.
Robert Elwood Meth, 54, was arrested Thursday in Lantana after an officer spotted him outside one of the Palm Aire's buildings, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.
Police became suspicious of Meth after he allegedly knocked on the door of a resident Thursday and told them he'd been sent to change light bulbs.
When a detective who was doing surveillance in the area saw Meth in his pickup watching the front doors and windows of the building, he approached Meth's truck. The officer had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit as Meth sped away, police said.
He was arrested a few hours later in Palm Beach County.
Meth is believed to be responsible for at least 17 burglaries in the community, in which expensive jewelry, electronics and cash were stolen. Police say he has a lengthy criminal history which includes 20 years off and on inside state prisons for grand theft, burglary and trafficking in stolen property.
He has been charged with aggravated fleeing, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and violation of probation. Burglary charges are pending, and it's believed he may have worked with an accomplice, police said.
