Butler police say they arrested a suspected burglar a short time after he broke into a pair of city homes and made off with $7,000 worth of jewelry and other property.

When officers Friday evening caught up to 35-year-old James L. Musser III, they found him with a duffel bag containing some of the stolen loot.

By then, according to court documents, Musser was already a suspect in a series of other crimes in the city.

In all, between Friday and Monday, police filed four separate cases against him. But that’s not all. Previously, police charged him with two other cases.

Musser, who has no known address, is being held in the Butler County Prison on $202,500 cumulative bail.

Police said they arrested the defendant soon after they got a call about 7:10 p.m. Friday for a burglary in the 200 block of West Penn Street.

One of the occupants found the burglar in her home. The unknown man, later identified as Musser ran out the back door.

It didn’t take long for officers to find the suspect walking on North Washington and West Pearl streets.

In his pants pocket, police seized three syringes, a crack pipe and other drug contraband.

A search of the duffel bag he was carrying turned up numerous items including a pack of cigarettes and a lighter taken from the victim’s home, police said.

The bag also contained a wallet with an identification card of another woman, who also lives in the 200 block of West Penn Street.

Officers spoke to that woman, who was unaware that her home had been broken into and her wallet taken.

She told police that a small pocket in the wallet contained her wedding and engagements rings, valued at $7,000, documents said.

Police said the rings were not found in the duffel bag Musser had with him.

He is charged in those crimes with two counts each of burglary and theft, as well as possession of a controlled substance.

Police on Friday also charged Musser with the Nov. 1 break-in at the Butler Beauty School on South Main Street.

He allegedly stole a student’s purse, according to court documents, that was in a second-floor office.

The victim told police the purse contained about $5,000 in currency, a cell phone and other items.

Musser is charged in that case with burglary, trespass, theft and receiving stolen property.

Police on Monday also charged the defendant with still another break-in. He allegedly entered a man’s apartment in the 800 block of East Jefferson Street on Oct. 22.

The victim told police that he was home watching television when he noticed the unknown burglar in his home. He later identified Musser from a police photo lineup, according to court documents.

The defendant is charged in that case with burglary and trespass.

On Monday, city police also charged Musser with the Sept. 11 break-in of a pizza delivery man’s car on North Main Street. Stolen was a cell phone, cigarettes and about $25.

He is charged with theft from a vehicle.

Butler police on Wednesday charged Musser with stealing a bag of medical supplies from the back of an ambulance while the crew was on a call Sept. 19 in the 200 block of West North Street.

He eventually led officers to a nearby apartment building, police said, where he had stashed the property valued at $3,500.

The defendant in that case is charged with theft.

In still one more pending case, city police last month charged Musser with shoplifting a candy bar Sept. 29 from a convenience store a West Jefferson Street. He is charged with retail theft.